Issues
Fighting for a United PGCPS
Prince George’s County Public Schools is at a crossroads. National politics are testing the stability of public institutions and threatening the livelihood of families in our system. With a $3.02 billion FY2027 operating budget, nearly 20,000 employees, and more than 130,000 students, the system has both historic investment and historic responsibility.
This is why Alvaro is fighting for unity in PGCPS because when we work together, we achieve together. District 2 needs leadership that is community-backed, inclusive, and data-driven. Thus, Alvaro holds the following priorities to ensure we have a world-class educational system:
Community Engagement & Transparency
In a $3 billion system, trust must be earned and not assumed. With national debates intensifying around public education and state-level policy shifts reshaping funding, local leadership must be steady, responsive, and visible.
Alvaro believes leadership means showing up, listening carefully, and communicating clearly because transparency builds unity and unity strengthens schools. He will:
Host regular District 2 town halls with public follow-up reporting
Maintain regular open communication with elected partners on the local, county, and state levels
Provide plain-language budget explanations tied to student outcomes
Advocate for multi-year fiscal planning to prevent recurring structural shortfalls
Advocate for public budget dashboards at the system and school level
Protect classroom instruction through a “Classroom First” budget reduction philosophy
Ensure program changes are data-driven and publicly reviewed before implementation
Health, Support, & Safety
Students cannot learn, and educators cannot teach in environments that undermine physical or mental well-being. A United PGCPS prioritizes safety, clean facilities, emotional support, and sustainable working conditions. As operational pressures grow under the FY27 budget, health and safety must remain non-negotiable. Alvaro will advocate for:
Updated HVAC systems and clean-air standards in every school to ensure safe, green operations
Working with county leaders to place crossing guards at every school where traffic poses a risk to students
Expanded mental health services for students, along with burnout safeguards and wellness support for faculty and staff
Streamlining the IEP process by improving communication timelines, reducing procedural delays, and ensuring families receive clear guidance
Strengthening Community Schools to provide wraparound services, food security partnerships, and integrated family supports
Data-driven discipline reform that reduces reliance on exclusionary practices and disrupts the school-to-prison pipeline
Academic Opportunity & Excellence
Excellence cannot exist in isolated programs while other students fall behind. A United PGCPS ensures that every child, regardless of neighborhood, background, or school assignment, has access to rigorous academics and meaningful pathways after graduation.
With Blueprint funding designed to elevate literacy, career readiness, and equitable resource distribution, the focus must shift from concentrated “pockets of excellence” to sustainable excellence across all schools. No student’s future should be shaped by their zip code. Alvaro will advocate for:
A third-grade literacy guarantee with strong early intervention supports, including targeted reading specialists, evidence-based phonics instruction, and family literacy engagement programs to ensure no child advances without foundational skills
Expanded math acceleration aligned with state Blueprint benchmarks, with clear on-ramps for students in middle school who are ready for advanced coursework and support systems for those who need to catch up
Support for multilingual learners and students with disabilities to access advanced coursework, with proper accommodations, scaffolding, and high expectations that honor their potential
Growth of AP, dual enrollment, immersion, and career certification pathways across more schools, so opportunity is not limited by address
Expanded after-school programming focused on tutoring, enrichment, arts, and STEM access
Strengthened partnerships with local colleges, employers, and workforce programs to ensure post-graduation success, whether students choose college, career, or service
Adequate college and career counseling in every high school and middle school, with manageable caseloads that allow counselors to provide individualized guidance on college applications, financial aid, career exploration, apprenticeships, military service, and alternative pathways
Transparent public reporting on academic growth and advanced program access at the school level
Equity, Diversity, & Dignity
Prince George’s County is one of the most diverse school systems in Maryland. That diversity is truly present in District 2 and serves as a strength that must be reflected in policy, leadership, and access to opportunity. Equity does not mean lowering standards but removing barriers. Alvaro will work to:
Ensure advanced coursework and specialty programs reflect the diversity of the district, addressing disparities in AP, gifted and talented, magnet, and dual enrollment through proactive outreach, universal screening, and elimination of subjective gatekeeping practices
Publicly track access gaps in academic programs and resources with transparent, disaggregated data by race, ethnicity, language, disability status, and income level
Expand multilingual communication and interpretation services for families across the system
Improve customer service standards, so families receive timely responses and respectful engagement
Support culturally responsive teaching practices and inclusive curriculum frameworks
Supporting and Respecting the People Who Make Schools Work
A United PGCPS recognizes that schools function because of teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, administrators, custodial teams, and families working together. Respect across roles is not symbolic; it is structural. Students thrive when the adults serving them are supported and valued. Alvaro will advocate for:
Retention-focused workforce policies that reduce burnout across all employee categories, recognizing that high turnover in any role disrupts school stability
Clear professional development pathways aligned with Blueprint reforms for both educators and support staff, ensuring growth opportunities exist at every level
Collaborative decision-making structures that include all roles that see challenges and solutions from different vantage points
Protecting planning time and evaluating workload impacts before policy changes
Fair labor practices and transparent communication between the district and all employee bargaining units, honoring collective agreements, and engaging in good-faith collaboration
