The Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) is the most influential student in determining MCPS countywide policies. SMOB elections are highly competitive and time-consuming, as candidates often launch campaign webpages, travel to numerous middle and high schools all over Montgomery County to gather student support, and frequently post on social media platforms to promote name recognition.
The SMOB candidate nomination filing form has recently been opened to all MCPS students who qualify. Prospective candidates must be a current sophomore or junior in high school (a junior or senior during the 2024-2025 school year) and reside in Montgomery County. Additionally, students must maintain a strong academic record.
MCPS middle and high school students can either nominate themselves or an eligible candidate before the filing deadline of Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. Students must agree to several rules, such as promoting a positive and appropriate campaign, refraining from using money or food to acquire votes and communicating with school administrators before visiting a school. Potential consequences of violating these expectations range from limitation of speaking privileges to disqualification.
Completed forms can be submitted to Mrs. Shella Cherry, the Director of Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities, at shella_b_cherry@mcpsmd.org. Approved candidates will also be invited to a mandatory SMOB candidate meeting on Jan. 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. At this meeting, current SMOB Sami Saeed and the Special Elections Committee will discuss the role and responsibilities of a SMOB.
Students should consider the accountability, commitment, and responsibility associated with fulfilling the duties of a SMOB. SMOBs possess the power of full voting rights on various matters, except for negative personnel actions. Although the SMOB is not a paid position, several benefits include a $5,000 scholarship towards post-secondary education, an honors-level social studies credit, and student service learning hours for the time dedicated to the role. The SMOB is also a unique extracurricular that boosts college application profiles. It also provides students with firsthand experience in policy-making, equipping them for future careers in Political Science, Law, and related fields.
“[Being] a SMOB is a big responsibility…you become a role model for others,” Richard Montgomery High School junior Hayden Swetlow said. “You’re taking on the role of being a voice for others. A SMOB should understand what our student body wants.”
Current SMOB Sami Saeed finds his role as a change-maker highly rewarding. “I can see the actual changes I’m making. It’s so fulfilling…seeing an actual difference in the system of positive change caused by me,” he said. “That’s like fuel for me that really keeps me going.”