Prince George's County board holds hearing on proposed revocation of Friendship Aspire charter as parents urge reconsideration

Prince George's County Public Schools staff told the Board of Education at a virtual public hearing April 15 that the district has recommended revoking its contract with the Friendship Educational Foundation, operator of Friendship Aspire STEM Academy, after ongoing interventions failed to produce required improvements.

"The recommendation for revocation comes only after extensive, ongoing district interventions failed to yield functional improvements from the operator," said Jubilee Ransom, the district's charter school liaison, summarizing monitoring that included monthly site visits, weekly on-site coaching and written notices of concern and probation. District staff said the school will remain open and fully operational through the end of the current academic year on June 30, 2026, while staff coordinate potential transitions.

The board moved in March to begin the revocation process. "This public hearing follows the Board's March 6th vote to initiate the Charter Revocation process in accordance with Maryland law, board policy, and COMAR," the district said during the presentation.

Parents who spoke during the hearing urged the board to pause or reconsider closure and to prioritize student stability. "It does not feel like we have been fully considered in the decision to close Friendship Aspire Bowie," said Ohona Banerjee, a parent of a kindergarten student at Friendship Aspire Bowie, adding that "the school has been open for just 18 months," which she said is too short a period to judge its prospects.

Another parent, Vanessa Tyson, said she has drafted a proposed policy that would guarantee parents "preferred choice" placement when a school closes mid-year and asked the board to consider stronger protections and mental-health supports for affected students. "When any school is closed before a full academic year, that there is a guaranteed preferred choice for parents to pick from," she said.

Imani Timberlake, a parent and supporter of the school, praised interim improvements under new leadership and Principal Dr. Campbell and urged the board to explore partnership or support strategies rather than closure. "Closing the school leaves a really big void," Timberlake said, and called on the district to expand STEM options countywide if Friendship Aspire must close.

District presenters described a series of interventions the office provided: monthly monitoring and comprehensive on-site evaluations, weekly coaching since July 2025 (more than 50 touchpoints), a notice of concern in September 2025, and two notices of probation and a probation extension. Staff also said fewer than 30 families had accepted seats for the 2026–27 school year at the time of the outreach.

Staff detailed transition planning should the board vote to revoke the contract, including individual family transition meetings, assistance with enrollment choices and transfer of student records, and coordination of special-education services to minimize disruption.

The board did not take a vote during the hearing; the March 6 initiation of revocation is already on record and the board is scheduled to consider a final decision at its April board meeting. The hearing adjourned at about 6:34 p.m.