Changing of the guards

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007

Changing of the guards

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The Prince George’s County school board and council this week ‘‘passed the gavel,” a ceremony in which the chair persons step down from their leadership positions and other members are elected to guide the groups.

The change is often a symbolic measure – when there is no turnover in members, leadership plans often stay the same – but this time, the change comes at a time when there is great potential for leaders to make a difference.

On the County Council, for example, Camille Exum is leaving her leadership post and will be replaced by David Harrington. Harrington, well-known dating back to his time as Bladensburg mayor for communicating openly with the public and working unitedly with others toward solutions, is taking over at a crucial time for the county.

The Prince George’s hospital system, which continues to struggle with financial problems caused by the large number of uninsured patients it serves, is again on the agenda. In past years, the County Council has been unable to reach an agreement with County Executive Jack B. Johnson and the state on a long-term solution to the hospital system’s problems. Earlier this year, a plan was shot down by the County Council in the 11th hour of the General Assembly session. Failure between county leaders to reach a consensus this year could mean a loss of $20 million in state aid for the hospital.

‘‘We stand ready to collaborate and dialogue with our partners,” Harrington announced soon after receiving the gavel Tuesday, which was welcomed by Johnson, who attended the ceremony.

Both Harrington and Verjeana Jacobs, the new chairwoman of the county school board, are taking the lead during a year when the county budget is suffering a shortfall. The county school system is losing $29.3 million in state aid – at a time when Prince George’s students were starting to gain ground on statewide testing – and the government is losing $10.8 million in state aid. Additionally, county shortfalls caused by a loss in real estate fees and a telecommunications tax that was expected to yield $17 million for county schools but will instead be sent to a referendum, puts the county in a difficult position.

Harrington, only seconds after taking the gavel, announced he is planning to reach out to nonprofit organizations to assist with social services, such as housing assistance, to improve county services.

Both Jacobs, who works as a division chief in the Department of Corrections, and Harrington are described by their peers as strong consensus builders. With such a potentially difficult year ahead, their skills will be in high demand.