Lt. Gov. Brown, County Officials Visit Parkdale High School

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and other state and county leaders turned up at Parkdale High School this morning, capping off yet another first day of school in Prince George’s County.

There to tour the state’s as well as a few classrooms in-progress, Brown joined several others at Parkdale High, including Interim State Superintendent Bernard J. Sadusky, County Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and County Executive Rushern L. Baker.

Brown said the need to more firmly develop youngsters’ financial literacy is paramount to a successful future, calling the student-run bank a “hands-on opportunity” to be more competitive. 

Sadusky echoed similar sentiments during the visit. “The student bank is a great idea,” he said, at one point harking back to the 1950s and 1960s, when it was “not uncommon” for local banks to provide schools with representatives who would offer up savings bonds and accounts to students. 

Like others in attendance, Hite and Baker chatted with several students tasked to run the bank. 

"Next time I see you, I'll be opening up my account," quipped Hite.

School Principal Cheryl Logan said the student-run bank has everything, replete with facial recognition cameras, a large safe and service counter. She also estimated the full-service bank, sponsored by Capital One Bank, ran into the “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to launch.

The bank will be open to students and staff three days a week, she said.

Officials also visited four classrooms during the visit, including a French class and Advanced Placement course called "Environmental."

Brown reaffirmed to the AP class his commitment to ensuring “more and more” students have access to — and take — AP classes. “Each year we’ve seen progress,” he said, at one point informing the class that Prince George’s County was the first to cover the cost of AP fees in the state.

Board of Education members Peggy Higgins (District 2) and Patricia Eubanks (District 4) were also present during the visit.