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Parents urge council to help preserve Chinese immersion program after school‑system notice
Summary
Parents asked the Prince George's County Council to intervene after the school board sent a notice that the Chinese immersion program will be eliminated next year; Vice Chair Olson said the district is considering large budget reductions and the council will continue to press the school system and advocate with state delegation where appropriate.
Parents and PTA representatives raised alarm at the listening tour when they said Prince George's County Public Schools notified families that the Chinese immersion program will be eliminated next year without community engagement.
Brendan Rose, a College Park parent representing PTA families, said the immersion program serves students at Paint Branch Elementary, Greenbelt Middle and Largo High School and has been in operation for about 15 years. "This decision was made and proffered to us with absolutely no engagement from the community, no engagement with the teachers," Rose said, adding that the program shows measurable proficiency gains and brings a diverse cohort together.
Vice Chair Eric Olson responded that the decision is made by the school system and not the council; he said the superintendent indicated the district is looking to cut $150 million from the school budget and that councilmembers have begun pressing the school system. Olson encouraged continued advocacy and said he has been in touch with state legislators representing affected areas.
Chair Oriada and other councilmembers said they will support parents’ advocacy and requested additional details so council offices can coordinate outreach to the school board and superintendent. The council emphasized that decisions about curriculum and program cuts rest with the school board but pledged to facilitate dialogue and seek clarity on the budget rationale and engagement process.
Next steps: Councilmembers asked parents to share documentation and contact their council offices so staff can elevate the issue with the school system and the county’s legislative team.
