Time to be like real Americans and vote, but instead of a leader to lead our country it’s a student who will represent the students’ voices in the Board of Education. It’s time for SMOB!
The Student Member of the Board or “SMOB” is a voting member of the Board of Education. This year’s SMOB nominating convention is being held in the Auditorium at Watkins Mill High School on February 12th. At the nominated convention all candidates will speak about their views and reasons as to why they want the job. There will only be 2 candidates by April for the voting.
“The SMOB provides student voice for the board members that are making decisions for MCPS students,” said Lauren Squier.
SMOB can vote on matters that are related to school closings, reopening and boundaries, collective bargaining, and capital and operating budgets. MCPS is one of two counties in Maryland that gives SMOB full voting rights. The SMOB is not paid but they do get $5000 college scholarship, SSL hours, and one honors-level social studies credit.
Some students think that more WMHS students should try to be candidates. Senior Priscilla Aboabea-Saakodee is particularly enthusiastic.
“I feel like we should at least have some students from Watkins Mill High School that would like to at least try and contribute to make a better change for MCPS,” Aboabea-Saakodee said, “A lot of the electors often come from the same school like Richard Montgomery or Clarksburg, but maybe if a student from our school tries to become an elect, maybe it could create a change in our school community.”
The Current SMOB is Senior Praneel Suvarna from Clarksburg High School who is the 47th SMOB. His goals for 2024-2025 were to prioritize school safety, address the drug crisis and ensure equal access to resources for all students in MCPS. He’s also an advocate for mental health resources and support systems in every school.
Suvarna said, “If students are not safe in school, they will not be able to learn in school.”
Every MCPS school has delegates to vote for the finalist candidates, and delegates are based on the populations of schools. WMHS has 8 delegates. Any student can become a delegate, they just have to sign up in time.
