Schools

PGCPS CEO: Communication, Collaboration Key to Success

The county's new school leader emphasized that families and schools must work together to help students succeed.

Dr. Kevin Maxwell, the new Prince George’s County Schools System CEO, made his debut Wednesday evening in front of about 300 parents, teachers, and community members at Crossland High School.

A line of county residents wrapped around the school’s multipurpose room waiting to speak with Maxwell.

He spent the first hour of the event speaking with citizens individually, then spoke briefly during a formal presentation.

Find out what's happening in Hyattsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“If you come tonight, and this is the last time I see you, or the last time your school sees you, then that’s a tragedy,” Maxwell said.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said that Maxwell is the kind of leader the school system needs to become the best in the nation.

Find out what's happening in Hyattsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We wanted to bring the best and the brightest and someone who treats every child who walks into the school like they are his children,” Baker said.

The CEO echoed this sentiment when he expressed his confidence in the county’s children.

“I want everyone in this room to know that I believe every child that we have can be successful, and we need to work hard to support them in this work,” Maxwell said. 

“Being a teacher is not easy. We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support our teachers and collaborate with our parents,” he added.

Baker encouraged parents to trust Maxwell and stay a part of the school system.

“Today is about a chance. It’s about moving this system forward,” Baker said.

Baker emphasized the county’s enthusiasm about bringing back a veteran of the school system. Maxwell was most recently the superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

“We send a message. You may come and take our teachers, our principals. We get them back,” Baker said.

William Kitchings, the interim principal of Crossland High School and the principal of Crossland and Northwestern high schools’ evening programs, said he was elated that Crossland was chosen as the location for the first community reception.

“I was just astounded with the turnout. I’ve seen people I haven’t seen quite honestly in 20 years and it’s been a homecoming of sorts,” Kitchings said during the presentation. “I’m just beaming with enthusiasm for the upcoming school year that Dr. Maxwell will bring.”

Check the Prince George’s County School System website for information on the next community reception.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Hyattsville