Prince George's Co. Executive Seeking More School Control

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) -- The Prince George's County Executive is seeking legislation to give his office more control over county schools.

County Executive Rushern Baker is seeking state legislation that would put him in charge of the superintendent's office and the school system's $1.7 billion budget while reducing the power of the board of education.

The school system has had five superintendents in the past 10 years and the state's second-largest school system has ranked near the bottom statewide. Prince George's County has 123,000 students in its public school system.

Baker says he believes county residents should have someone to hold accountable for the performance of county schools, which he says are critical to drawing new residents to the county and promoting economic development.

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