PGCPS policy committee narrows 2026 legislative priorities to special education, multilingual learners, facilities and school safety

The Policy and Governance Committee of the Prince George's County Board of Education on Aug. 19 reviewed and approved a draft legislative platform that pulls four top priorities for the 2026 session: special education funding and workforce incentives; programs and funding for multilingual students; construction and facilities repairs and new buildings; and measures to keep school campuses safe and secure.

The platform, presented by Robin Welsh during the committee’s first meeting of the 2025–26 school year, is meant to serve two functions: to tell county legislators what Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) will prioritize in Annapolis and to give board members guidance on positions the board can take quickly if bills arise between monthly full-board meetings.

"The platform gives a lot of guidance on what the position will be of the board for the different bills that are introduced," Welsh said during the presentation.

Why it matters: committee members and staff said the four focus areas reflect operational needs that would require state-level funding or statutory changes to address at scale. Committee members and Dr. Ron Watson, senior adviser to the…