Prince George’s Community College Proposes $143 Million Budget
While Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) President Falecia Williams is concerned Trump administration mandates may impact university funding— particularly the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming and the threat to revoke federal funds for teaching parts of Black history— institution officials proposed a budget of nearly $143 million for the upcoming fiscal year.
“We are a predominantly Black institution, so DEI is what we do, and it’s a critical part of that,” Williams said.
The school will also prioritize the construction of the southern campus, for which County Council Chair Ed Burroughs III (D- District 8) expressed gratitude after the proposed budget was unveiled.
“Thank you for realizing that we matter,” said Burroughs on April 14. “We pay taxes. We have bright residents who want the best amenities and services that government provides, that their own taxes provides.”
The proposed budget is a 4.6% increase from the 2025’s approved budget of $135 million.
The majority of the budget increase is expected to go toward compensation, fringe benefits and operating expenses.
While the school receives almost $47 million from the county government and nearly $50 million in state funds, federal cuts to programs including the TRIO program threaten funding sources for some students and programs.
Ohio’s Kent State TRIO Upward Board program director Sana Lawless-Andric noted that all of the school’s TRIO programs were directly impacted by federal cuts to federal education programs.
“Our programs at Kent State have sustained a 3.1% cut, and federal TRIO programs nationally have lost over 100,000 students due to the cuts,” said Lawless-Andric in an interview with The Kentstater. “If funding is not restored, we could lose one in three Upward Bound Programs nationally.”
Despite concerns, Williams is working to ensure PGCC students have adequate financial aid to the university’s best ability.
“With the change in the FAFSA last year, we had a lot of delays. With the downsizing of the Department of Education, we expect more of the same,” President Williams said during a meeting with the County Council. “What we did was take the responsibility to protect students financially through the complexities so they wouldn’t lose enrollment. We protected students who applied, but we could potentially be less positioned to do the same this upcoming year.
PGCPS Recommends Closing Fort Washington’s Excel Academy Public Charter School
Fort Washington’s Excel Academy has notified parents that this will likely be the school’s last year of operation, citing ongoing teacher shortages and a local budget deficit.
Amie Dortch, parent to a seventh grader at Excel Academy acknowledged the staffing issues, but doesn’t believe the school should close.
“I don’t think Excel needs to close. I honestly think Excel needs more time to grow,” said Dortch.
Leah Brunson, whose child attended Excel Academy last year, said the school should be put on probation or shut down.
The school held a meeting on April 23 to receive feedback from parents and discuss further details regarding the school’s potential closure, however The Washington Informer had not spoken to members of the Excel community at the time of press.
While there are threats of Excel closing, Apple Grove Elementary, Flintstone Elementary, and J. Frank Dent Elementary are public schools in the area and John Hanson Montessori and National Christian Academy are also nearby.
The K-8 charter school opened in 2006.
“We cultivate our scholars’ growth using the four pillars of character development, college and career readiness, cultural arts, and community engagement,” reads a statement on their school website. “We are the longest-operating charter school in Prince George’s County, Maryland.”