Schools To Students: Time To Learn To Manage Money

New Class To Teach Money & Budget Management

County schools leaders are taking more initiative in assuring that students become financially literate.

By D.A. Phillips

The Prince George’s County Public School Board came together to pass the 2019-2020 school year budget. The school system will have a $2 billion dollar budget that will include funding for a financial literacy program.

The program will teach money and budget management to students. A test pilot class will be added to one high school in 2020 and thereafter, it would be part of the curriculum at every high school if successful.  In an interview with Fox 5 News, School Board member David Murray said, “As a young person who's been through our school system, went to college and had to go on to the real world, I see financial literacy as something that every single student and graduate needs.” And Board Vice-Chair Edward Burroughs said “Parents cannot pass down what they do not know, so it's so important that we teach our students practical lifelong skills.”

In addition to funding for the literacy program, $46 million will be allotted for employee compensation; hiring more teachers and aides making the classes smaller allowing for greater learning interaction between students and teachers; an amendment to the mental health programs will add $4 million for additional school psychologists and social workers.

At the close of the meeting, Dr. Alvin Thornton affirmed, “The consensus that you see represented here this evening regarding the priorities for our children, makes me feel real good as the new chairman of this board.”