By Lillian Glaros and Charlotte Kanner
Prince George’s County voters will decide five Board of Education races on Nov. 5.
After May’s primary elections, nine non-partisan candidates will vie for five seats in Districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
November’s election comes after District 1 school board member David Murray resigned from his seat in July. While serving on the county’s school board, Murray started a job as a chief academic officer for a Missouri school district, The Washington Post reported in July.
Murray was often absent from school board meetings during the 2023-24 academic year, according to The Washington Post. The Maryland State Board of Education also received a request for Murray’s removal due to “willful neglect of duty.”
The Diamondback reached out to all nine school board candidates to learn more about their platforms. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by their district.
Tiffini Andorful – District 1
Tiffini Andorful is running for the District 1 seat to bring her perspective as a former PGCPS student, former PGCPS teacher and PGCPS parent to the board.
“It’s important that we have both teachers and parents’ voices on the board, people who understand Prince George’s County firsthand and who are invested,” Andorful said.
If elected, she plans to prioritize school safety, college and career readiness, teacher retention and connecting families with resources, according to her website.
She told The Diamondback PGCPS school board members must engage with the community on the issues that matter to them most.
Donna Barriteau – District 1
Donna Barriteau placed third in May’s primary behind Andorful and Murray, the incumbent. Barriteau will be on November’s ballot instead of Murray, who resigned from his seat in July.
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Barriteau has been a teacher, assistant principal and union representative, according to her campaign’s website. She is the director of student teaching at Bowie State University.
Her website said she hopes to tackle teacher burnout, improve school infrastructure, ensure students have access to mental health services and enhance school safety.
Barritau did not respond to The Diamondback’s request for comment.
Shayla Adams-Stafford – District 4
Shayla Adams-Stafford is running unopposed for her second school board term in District 4.
She touted her leadership during her tenure on the school board in providing in-person support to vulnerable students during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to her website.
Adams-Stafford also serves as the chair of the school board’s academic achievement committee. Her website also said she secured $10 million for underperforming schools to support tutoring and extended-day programs.
She also founded AdaptiveX, a software company that promotes culturally responsive teaching and racial equity, according to her campaign website.
Adams-Stafford did not respond to The Diamondback’s request for comment.
Robin Brown – District 5
Robin Brown, a PGCPS parent, said she was inspired to run for the PGCPS school board by her son, who urged her to run for office after she told him to join his high school’s student government association.
Brown, who is also an analyst at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, hopes to ensure equity in education, child safety online and support for families of students with disabilities.
As a parent, Brown understands firsthand the concerns parents have about their children’s education, she said.
“I’ve heard you. I understand you,” Brown said. “I want better for your scholars just as much as mine.”
Zipporah Miller – District 5
Zipporah Miller has held the District 5 seat since Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks appointed her two years ago.
Miller has wanted to be a board of education member for decades, she said.
Miller, a former PGCPS parent, is also the director of organizational learning for Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
If elected, Miller said she wants to create opportunities in PGCPS that encourage students to explore diverse interests, while also providing them with a “well-rounded, world class education.”
Miller’s campaign priorities include supporting students’ mental wellness and maintaining safe learning environments, according to her website.
Dr. Kenneth Harris II – District 7
Kenneth Harris II is seeking reelection for his District 7 seat.
Harris is a lifelong Prince George’s County resident. As a father of two future PGCPS students, he is invested in the success of both students and educators, his website said.
During his term, Harris oversaw the construction of six new schools and expanded mental health resources for students and staff, his website said.
Harris also aims to advance educational equities and increase summer and extended-day learning programs, his website stated.
Harris did not respond to The Diamondback’s request for comment.
Dr. Phelton Moss – District 7
Phelton Moss, a former Mississippi teacher and principal, is an education policy professor at American University.
Moss advocates for a pay system that ensures educators will not have to work multiple jobs “to put food on the table,” his campaign website stated.
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Moss aims to improve student literacy through funding for professional development in reading instruction and creating family programs to promote reading at home, according to his website.
Moss hopes to expand high-quality after-school programs that will build community partnerships, enrich students’ lives and provide safe environments, according to his website.
Moss did not respond to The Diamondback’s request for comment.
Angela Jones – District 8
Angela Jones plans to invest in classrooms instead of central office, renovate schools and increase support for students outside of school, according to her campaign website.
She has lived in Prince George’s County for 30 years, and has held government positions in Maryland, her website said. Jones is a legislative director in the Maryland General Assembly, according to her website.
Jones has worked in law enforcement and as a substitute teacher, nurse and social worker, her website said.
Jones will leverage her past experience to support educators and students, according to a March campaign post on Facebook. She plans to push for higher pay and better benefits for career teachers, according to the post.
She hopes to ensure that every child reads at their grade level by third grade, the post said.
Jones did not respond to The Diamondback’s request for comment.
Zakyia Goins-McCants – District 8
Zakyia Goins-McCants, the interim director of school data and performance for District of Columbia Public Schools, hopes to serve low-income, special needs and English-language learning students.
“We have an opportunity now to literally lead the country in how we can provide those student groups with the best quality education that we can,” she said.
Goins-McCants, a former PGCPS student and teacher in District 8, also plans to target school safety by supporting district-wide training on restorative practices and de-escalation strategies.
Goins-McCants said she will advocate for better pay and a positive work environment for county educators.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated that voters will elect a PGCPS school board member for District 9. This story has been updated.
