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Representatives from 27 Prince George's County churches and social groups met Monday with county schools Superintendent William Hite Jr. to discuss how faith-based communities can play a role in the school system.

"We are seeking a partnership," the Rev. Cynthia Snavely of Goodloe Memorial Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bowie told Hite.

The meeting at Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Capitol Heights was held to discuss expanding the relationship between the school system and the coalition, the Partnership for Renewal in Southern and Central Maryland.

Hite briefly talked to the group about the state of county schools, including goals and budgetary concerns, before opening the floor to suggestions and questions regarding more cooperation between the school system and the coalition.

"How can we assist you on bringing men back into the picture?" Fred Jones of Upper Marlboro asked Hite.

Jones, a guidance counselor at Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary in Cheverly, said he is concerned about the impact fathers are making in students' lives. Jones expressed disappointment about the lack of participation he saw Oct. 12 during Men Make a Difference Day, a day where fathers and male role models are asked to visit county public schools, and stressed the importance of getting men involved.

While some residents were there to ask questions of Hite, others were there to see if they could volunteer or help in some way. Representatives from churches across the county offered to help the school system in whatever ways they could, including fundraising, increasing community involvement or distributing fliers.

"The faith community can help," Jones said, adding that in the future Hite should alert PRISCM of upcoming events, such as Men Make a Difference Day, so the word can be spread in churches and neighborhoods.

Hite agreed that partnerships with churches, social organizations and civic groups to alert members of educational events would be helpful in uniting the school community.

Community and parent involvement is a main thrust for the school system this year, Hite said, adding that the school system is hoping to open a Parent Advocacy Office later this year. Hite did not say how this office would be funded or if it would operate on a volunteer basis.

"We've already attempted to do that inside of schools with parent liaisons," he said, referring to parent advocacy efforts.

Previously, each county school was assigned a parent liaison to serve as a contact between parents and faculty members, but because of budgetary restrictions this year, more than 100 parent liaisons were laid off, Hite said, adding that he is hoping a Parent Advocacy Office can fill in the gap.

The nearly 90 remaining parent liaisons in the county split their time between two or three schools and do not have as much time to devote to a school, he said.

E-mail Megan McKeever at mmckeever@gazette.net.