Jonathan Briggs, who represented District 2, which includes Greenbelt, on the Prince George’s County Board of Education, has resigned, effective June 26 or June 30*. Almost three weeks later, his constituents and the media had not been notified by Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), though his resignation was announced by Board Chair Branndon Jackson during a July 9 meeting. The announcement at that meeting came two days after the county closed the application window for the vacated seat. Following questions from the News Review to the PGCPS Office of Communications and the Board of Education Office on the morning of July 20, communication about Briggs’ resignation was finally shared by PGCPS that afternoon. Briggs had also been serving as the vice chair of the Board of Education at the time of his resignation.
The District 2 school board member represents the north-central portion of Prince George’s County, including Greenbelt, College Park, Berwyn Heights, Riverdale Park and New Carrollton. Briggs assumed his four-year position on December 5, 2022. His term was set to end on December 7, 2026.
July 9 Announcement
According to Board of Education Chair Branndon Jackson at a July 9 virtual special meeting, Briggs formally submitted his resignation on June 30, effective immediately, which the board accepted. Jackson acknowledged Briggs’ service and commitment to the school community and announced that the county executive will appoint someone to serve the remainder of his term through December 7. The election in November will determine who will assume the seat for the following term. Jackson made no mention of the reason for Briggs’ sudden departure while vice chair and before the end of his term.
Delayed Announcements
Briggs sent a June newsletter to District 2 constituents on June 16, less than two weeks before his resignation, and did not mention his plan to resign. The News Review attempted to contact Briggs on July 2 but the email bounced. Residents with whom the News Review spoke, including those signed up for Briggs’ emails and newsletters, had not received news of Briggs’ resignation prior to July 20.
On July 20, in response to queries from the News Review about a public announcement and notification to constituents or media, PGCPS Director of the Board of Education Office Cindy Adlien directed us to the July 9 meeting as the official announcement and responded that notifications would be going out that day. Though Briggs’ resignation was part of the chair’s report at that meeting it was not on the agenda or within any board documents.
The announcement to constituents that Adlien shared with the News Review was marked “via email only” and dated June 30, though it was sent later the day of our communication, on July 20. Adlien stated, “There was a slight delay, as the Board was required to make a public announcement in accordance with parliamentary procedures.” She did not respond to a follow-up question about which parliamentary procedures caused the delay in the notifications.
Adlien also shared a media announcement dated July 20 and a memorandum to principals that was, like that to constituents, dated June 30. Micah McMillian, communications technician in the Board of Education office, confirmed that the notifications to constituents and principals dated June 30 were also sent on July 20. Those communications included an italicized message from Briggs within a larger letter or memo signed by Jackson and gave no indication of Briggs’ reason for resignation.
Interim Appointment
The District 2 vacancy and appointment window was announced on the County Council website in an announcement dated June 30. Nominations for the seat would be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, said the announcement.
Adlien and McMillian told the News Review that the application process for the District 2 board seat is being administered by Prince George’s County Council. When we asked why the application process preceded and concluded before any announcement by PGCPS of the resignation and vacancy, or even the chair’s report of it on July 9, we were directed to the communications team for the county council and county executive. We subsequently sent our questions to the county, including how they publicized the vacancy and application process and how many applications were received. We did not receive a response by press time.
New Vice Chair
Briggs’ resignation left not only the District 2 seat vacant but also the position of vice chair. At the July 9 meeting Chair Jackson called for nominations. District 3 Board Member Pamela Boozer-Strother nominated District 8 Board Member Zakyia Goins-McCants as vice chair, Then, District 1 Board Member Tiffini Andorful nominated District 7 Board Member Phelton Moss and Student Board Member Sydney Mosley added his support of the nomination of Moss. District 5 Board Member Robin Brown then nominated Boozer-Struther, who said that she did not wish to run for the position. Goins-McCants then also declined the nomination, leaving only one candidate, Moss, who was announced as the new vice chair.
Impact on Election
Several resignations from the Prince George’s County Council took place in December and January when there was less than a year of the departing members’ term to serve. The ability of the council to appoint the new member, just months ahead of an election, may have influenced the outcome of the election by bestowing an incumbent advantage on the member selected by council. In the case of District 4’s representative, Tim Adams was appointed by the council on January 23 and subsequently won election and defeated challengers for the seat in June.
In the case of the District 2 school board seat, the race is already underway as the field was narrowed from three to two candidates in the June primary. In November, voters will be able to choose between two Greenbelt residents. Caroline Decaire-Goldin is a former PGCPS teacher, current Director of Teaching and Learning in the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education and parent of children attending PGCPS schools. Terence Clegg is a risk management administrator at the Maryland Department of Human Services and parent of children attending PGCPS schools. Clegg has been endorsed by Governor Wes Moore and District 22 State Senator Alonzo Washington.
The News Review reached out to both Decaire-Goldin and Clegg to ask when and how they learned of the vacancy and if they applied to the interim position. Clegg responded, “In the process of seeking this position, I have tried to stay abreast of local and county news. I saw the vacancy announcement posted on the County’s website and have submitted my materials for consideration.” Decaire-Goldin did not respond by press time.
*Note: According to the county’s notice of the vacancy and application window, Briggs’ resignation was effective June 26 but according to PGCPS, it was effective June 30.
The author of this article has two children enrolled in District 2 PGCPS schools.
