PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Zina McGowan-Thomas , Public Information Officer, 301-475-5511, ext. 193

NOTICE TO COMMUNITY

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) would like to shed some light on recent problems it has been experiencing with the automated telephone notification system currently in use by the school system.  Our service provider, ParentLink, has been experiencing technical difficulties caused by recent upgrades that have resulted in parents and employees not receiving their automated phone call during our latest cancellation of after school activities and school closings.  ParentLink has ensured SMCPS that measures have been taken to correct this problem and to prevent this from happening again.

“We know how much the community relies on this service and we deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools.  “Please accept our sincere apology.”