Welcome to the February 2021 edition of the monthly State SMOB Newsletter!
Message from Jason Wu
I hope this February State SMOB monthly newsletter finds you and your family safe and well. In this message, you'll find important updates I want to share with you below. As we navigate these unprecedented times together, I want to assure you that making our voices heard at the board remains my priority. Please let me know what I can to do address your issues at a state level. You can always reach out should you have any questions or concerns at jason_t_wu@mcpsmd.org.
February Board of Education Meeting Report
The State Board of Education held its first hybrid meeting on February 23rd, 2021, where three members attended in-person. You can watch meetings virtually on the Maryland State Department of Education website.
School Reopenings Around the State
Maryland Student Outlook has published a table of reopening dates of all 24 Maryland Local School Systems as of February 16, 2021, along with additional information about COVID-19. Note that the information in the table may not reflect present-day changes.
2021-2022 State SMOB Finalists
Congratulations to Kevin Bokoum from North Hagerstown High School in Washington County and Dhriti Vadlakonda from River Hill High School in Howard County! These two final candidates for the 2021-2022 Maryland State Student Member of the Board of Education were elected at the Maryland Association of Student Council’s Virtual Legislative Session on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Their resumes, personal statements, social media sites, and speeches can be found on the MASC website.
Education Article §2‑202 of the Maryland General Assembly Statute authorizes the appointment by the Governor of a student member of the Maryland State Board of Education. Approved in 1985 and amended in 2007, this legislation specifies that the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) shall have the opportunity to nominate two students for the Governor’s consideration. One of these nominees will be appointed by the Governor to serve a one‑year term as the Student Member of the Maryland State Board of Education.
SMOB Student Council
The next SSC meeting will be held Saturday, March 6th, from 10-11:30 a.m.