D R A F T

September 3, 2008

Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, Esquire
Chair, Board of Education for
Prince George’s County
14201 School Lane
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Dear Chair Jacobs:

The Bowie City Council was pleased to learn of the inclusion of the proposed Bowie Area High School in the Capital Improvement Program for FY2010-2015. The Program Highlights Draft, released by Superintendent Deasy on August 20, 2008, lists the school as a School Year 2011 project in a chart titled FY2010-2015 “CIP Projects Committed – High Schools”. Our elation about the School Year 2011 designation for the Bowie Area High School was short-lived. The same CIP document includes another chart titled “Board of Education FY10 CIP Request Growth Status – High Schools” which lists the South Bowie/Woodmore Area as a “Growth Area”, and shows “Bowie Area High School” under “Schools Committed – Approved”. However, the Bowie Area High School listing has a double asterisk attached to it. The footnote says “Based on current and the projected enrollment trends over the next several years, these schools will not be approved by the State in the CIP”.

We urge you to end the “on again – off again” status of the proposed high school. The Board of Education has previously committed to this project. Crowded conditions at the present Bowie High School and the anticipated growth in the area clearly support the need for this facility.

We urge you and your colleagues on the Board of Education to end the uncertainty once and for all, and firmly commit to building this needed school.

Sincerely,

Bowie City Council
G. Frederick Robinson
Mayor

cc: Senator Douglas J. J. Peters
Delegate James W. Hubbard
Delegate Gerron Levi
Delegate Marvin E. Holmes, Jr.
County Council Member Ingrid M. Turner
County Council Chair Samuel H. Dean
Board of Education
City Council