<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
        {font-family:Cambria;
        panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
        {font-family:Calibri;
        panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
        {font-family:"Harlow Solid Italic";
        panose-1:4 3 6 4 2 15 2 2 13 2;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
        {margin:0in;
        margin-bottom:.0001pt;
        font-size:11.0pt;
        font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
        {mso-style-priority:99;
        color:blue;
        text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
        {mso-style-priority:99;
        color:purple;
        text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
        {mso-style-type:personal-compose;
        font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
        color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
        {mso-style-type:export-only;
        font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
@page WordSection1
        {size:8.5in 11.0in;
        margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
        {page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>PRESS RELEASE</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>For immediate release:</span></u></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>April 21, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>For constituent communication concerning proposed budget:</span></u></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Phone: 3-1-1 (M-F 7a-7pm)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Email: <a href="mailto:CountyExecutive@co.pg.md.us"><span style='color:blue'>CountyExecutive@co.pg.md.us</span></a><span style='color:#1F497D'>  </span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III Conducting Countywide Conversations Regarding Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Investment Plan </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Upper Marlboro, MD -</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>  Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III is currently conducting a series of conversations and meetings throughout the County regarding his proposed Prince George’s County FY 2016 Budget that includes an additional $133 million dollar investment plan in the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) through increases in the residential property tax, personal property tax, and telecommunications tax.   <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>All of these conversations will be streamed live at <span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDIxLjQ0MzEwMjQxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQyMS40NDMxMDI0MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MzIyNTQ3JmVtYWlsaWQ9YWxob2x0QGNvLnBnLm1kLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1hbGhvbHRAY28ucGcubWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&https://livestream.com/accounts/5817366/events/3968618"><span style='color:blue'>https://livestream.com/accounts/5817366/events/3968618</span></a> </span>and posted online on <span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDIxLjQ0MzEwMjQxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQyMS40NDMxMDI0MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MzIyNTQ3JmVtYWlsaWQ9YWxob2x0QGNvLnBnLm1kLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1hbGhvbHRAY28ucGcubWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/"><span style='color:blue'>www.princegeorgescountymd.gov</span></a> </span>following the event<span style='color:#1F497D'>. </span>County Executive Baker conducted his first conversation with residents this past Tuesday evening at Capitol Heights Elementary School.  To watch that meeting please click <span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDIxLjQ0MzEwMjQxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQyMS40NDMxMDI0MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MzIyNTQ3JmVtYWlsaWQ9YWxob2x0QGNvLnBnLm1kLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1hbGhvbHRAY28ucGcubWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&102&&&https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeVPyuV66aY"><span style='color:blue'>here</span></a>. </span>Residents are encouraged to visit the <span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDIxLjQ0MzEwMjQxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQyMS40NDMxMDI0MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MzIyNTQ3JmVtYWlsaWQ9YWxob2x0QGNvLnBnLm1kLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1hbGhvbHRAY28ucGcubWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&103&&&http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/ExecutiveBranch/CommunityEngagement/Invest-EDU/Pages/default.aspx"><span style='color:blue'>Investing in Education Homepage</span></a> </span>on the Prince George’s County website to learn more about this proposal.  <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>“Excellent schools educate and enrich the lives of children and their families, and they prepare our children for successful lives in today’s global economy,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “Investing in our schools also boosts property values for the whole community.  Throughout my two decades of public service on behalf of our County, the top priority of every resident, business and stakeholder I have met has been education.  The reason is that, as County residents and as neighbors, we know that our community will rise and fall with our schools.  We know that a first class education system will benefit everyone, and that we owe a first class education to all of our children.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>This additional investment in PGCPS will provide the funding for the evidence-based programs contained in the <span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDIxLjQ0MzEwMjQxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQyMS40NDMxMDI0MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MzIyNTQ3JmVtYWlsaWQ9YWxob2x0QGNvLnBnLm1kLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1hbGhvbHRAY28ucGcubWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&104&&&http://www1.pgcps.org/promise/"><span style='color:blue'>PGCPS 2016-2020 Strategic Plan</span></a></span> and PGCPS will be poised to make exponential progress with the goal of being ranked in the top 10 school systems in the State of Maryland by 2020.  There have been considerable improvements in PGCPS under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Kevin Maxwell, a 2013 National Superintendent of the Year finalist, such as historic higher graduation rates and lower dropout rates<span style='color:#1F497D'>,</span> as well as increased efficiency and accountability, yet PGCPS continues to be ranked next to last in school districts throughout the State.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>PGCPS Investment Discussion Schedule:</span></u></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Wednesday, April 22, 6:00 p.m. </span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Dwight Eisenhower Middle School<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>13725 Briarwood Drive<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Laurel, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>  <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Wednesday, April 29, 6:00 p.m.</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Nicholas Orem Middle School<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>6100 Editors Park Drive<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Hyattsville, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Wednesday, May 6, 6:00 p.m. </span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Dodge Park Elementary School<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>3401 Hubbard Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Landover, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Tuesday, May 12, 6:00 p.m. </span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>University Park Elementary School<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>4315 Underwood Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>University Park, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Wednesday, May 13, 7:00 p.m. </span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Tayac Elementary School<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>8600 Allentown Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Fort Washington, MD <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The FY 2016 Proposed Budget was submitted on March 13, 2015 to the Prince George’s County Council.  The Council must adopt the FY 2016 Proposed Budget on or before June 1, 2015. For any questions or concerns, residents can call 3-1-1, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. or email <a href="mailto:CountyExecutive@co.pg.md.us"><span style='color:blue'>CountyExecutive@co.pg.md.us</span></a>.     </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Harlow Solid Italic"'>Jessica<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Jessica E. Barnes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Town Clerk<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Riverdale Park<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>5008 Queensbury Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Riverdale Park, MD 20737<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'><a href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/">www.riverdaleparkmd.info</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>301-927-6381<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>