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College Park council approves amended letter urging county to keep Paint Branch Chinese immersion funding

City of College Park Mayor and Council · February 25, 2026

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Summary

After debate and public comment, the council approved an amended letter to the Prince George's County Board of Education asking that funding for the Paint Branch Elementary Chinese immersion program be maintained in FY27 and future budgets; the letter will be expanded to include additional CCs.

The College Park City Council voted on Feb. 24 to approve an amended letter to the Prince George’s County Board of Education urging continued funding for the Paint Branch Elementary School Chinese immersion program and its feeder programs.

Assistant City Manager Laura Reems explained the revised letter and a red-folder version with minor edits. Council members asked that the letter be amended to state it was sent "on behalf of the mayor and council," to reference the program's feeder middle and high school pathways and to expand the CC list (including the district delegation, the school principal and the county council). Councilmember Simmons and others framed the vote as backing the full continuum of the immersion program rather than a partial option proposed by the school system.

Resident Ruth Murphy spoke in favor of the letter, urging the council to support immersion education for its global and community benefits. After council debate the body voted to adopt the amended letter. The record shows two abstentions: one council member cited having a child in the program and Councilmember Jordan recused herself. The mayor directed staff to include the requested CCs before transmitting the letter to the Board of Education.

The letter will be sent to the Prince George's County Board of Education and additional recipients per the amended CC list; the city manager and assistant city manager said they will update the city website and communications to notify residents about the county's budget hearing.