by Priyanka Paudel ‘19

On March 30, the Maryland State legislature approved voting rights for the student member of the Montgomery County school board. The Student Member of the Board (SMOB), beginning on July 1, will be allowed to vote on matters such budgets, school openings and closings, and redistricting.

“The expansion of SMOB voting rights would truly bring a countywide and statewide commitment to advancing the student voice with unwavering empowerment of the next generation,” Eric Guerci, a junior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase, told Maryland lawmakers in testimony earlier this year. Guerci won re-election as the SMOB last month.

The SMOB will not be allowed to vote on “negative personnel action” related to the board, such as suspensions and terminations.