I hope you had a restful long weekend. As we return to school and work this week, I want to share an important update about a recent federal decision that may affect our school system.
The U.S. Department of Education has unexpectedly decided to take back reimbursements for pandemic recovery funds that were expected to be available through January 2026. This change puts more than $400 million at risk for school districts across Maryland. Prince George’s County Public Schools is among the four districts that would be most affected.
We are still reviewing how this may impact our schools. These funds have supported key services for students — including mental health care, vaccines, technology, building upgrades, teacher training, and programs to help students recover from the effects of the pandemic.
We’ve now been told to freeze any remaining spending tied to these funds. This could mean stopping or scaling back programs that are already underway, including construction, teacher training, and mental health services. At the same time, we are still required to pay for goods and services already received.
PGCPS used these funds with the understanding that the federal government would reimburse us. This reversal creates serious financial challenges and threatens important supports for our students.
We are urging the U.S. Department of Education to uphold its commitment while working closely with the Maryland State Department of Education to determine next steps.
At the same time, our team is thoroughly reviewing the financial and programmatic impact and exploring every available option to navigate the challenges ahead.
We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more and share updates as soon as new information becomes available.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and schools.
Sincerely,
Millard House II
Superintendent
