Council committee advances Amy Olivo nomination for District 4 school board seat

The Prince George's County Council Education & Workforce Development Committee on March 24 voted 4-0 to advance Acting County Executive Jackson's nominee, Amy Olivo, to fill the District 4 vacancy on the Prince George's County Board of Education without a recommendation, sending the appointment to the full council for consideration.

The committee moved to take no recommendation on the appointment so the entire council could debate the nomination. Council member Oriada made the motion and Vice Chair Watson seconded; Chair Harrison, Vice Chair Watson, Council member Hawkins and Council member Oriada recorded aye votes. "Motion carries. 4 0," the clerk announced after the roll call.

Olivo, introduced by Mary Anne Brewer, appointment liaison for the Office of the Acting County Executive, described her background in county government and education advocacy. She said she has been a community advocate and a PGCPS parent for more than 17 years and highlighted local leadership roles, including serving as founding co-chair of Chevrolet Advocates for Public Schools and as PTA president at Gladys Newton Spellman Elementary School. Olivo told the committee she previously served 11 years on the Prince George's Community College Board of Trustees and worked eight years as chief of staff to a county council member.

"One of the things that I absolutely see as a goal is increased parental involvement and engagement," Olivo said, describing steps she used in one school — offering childcare and dinner at PTA meetings and purchasing simultaneous-translation devices — that she said boosted participation.

Committee members asked Olivo about likely challenges in District 4 and about the school board's relationship with the superintendent. Olivo said national-level uncertainty about federal education policy and fiscal changes is a concern, and she emphasized local goals such as growing local families' enrollment in PGCPS and increasing parental engagement across District 4 schools. On governance, she said she understands that "the Prince George's County Board of Education has one employee, and that is the superintendent," and she said she would pursue a "strong and trusting relationship" with the superintendent while deferring to the board chair to speak publicly for the board.

Council member Hawkins explained his aye vote and praised Olivo's prior county experience, and Council member Oriada said she had "some reservations of the process" and preferred to continue discussion at the full-council stage, but she also voted aye.

The committee's no-recommendation vote moves the nomination to the full County Council, where a confirmation vote will decide whether Olivo will fill the District 4 seat.

Supporters in the room included Dr. Charlene Dukes and Olivo's husband, Abel; Brewer noted the nomination followed a county application and interview process.

The council committee record shows the motion to advance without recommendation carried 4-0; the nomination will next appear on the full County Council agenda for final action.