The 48th Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) election is underway in Montgomery County, Maryland. Ten candidates initially vied for the position, presenting their platforms and qualifications to over 400 voting middle and high school delegates at the SMOB Nominating Convention held at Watkins Mill High School on February 19. The candidates addressed various issues crucial to the student body, including:

– School security: Proposals ranged from implementing weapon detection systems to improving ID policies and security guard training.

– Health and wellness: Suggestions included installing vape detectors, providing menstrual products in bathrooms, and making Narcan accessible in schools.

– Infrastructure: Candidates advocated for school renovations and prioritizing infrastructure projects.

– Student representation: Ideas included establishing representatives in every high school and creating county-level student unions.

– Academic policies: Proposals involved streamlining SSL hours, revising credit requirements, and unrestricting internet access after school hours.

After two rounds of voting, the field was narrowed down to two finalists: Peter Boyko and Anuva Maloo.  Boyko is a junior at Northwest High School and has five years of leadership experience. He co-founded Eco MoCo and has worked with student leaders across the county to advocate for students’ rights and educational issues.  Maloo is a junior at Montgomery Blair High School, campaigning on making student voices heard and fulfilling promises, with a focus on practical improvements like providing menstrual products and keeping bathrooms unlocked.

The final election for the 48th SMOB will take place on Wednesday, April 23. The elected student will serve as a voting member on the Montgomery County Board of Education, representing the interests of over 160,000 students in the school system.