In the upcoming weeks, the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) community will witness an engaging and enlightening event as the student body prepares to elect the next Student Member of the Board (SMOB). This pivotal position allows a student representative to have a direct impact on the decisions made by the Board of Education. As the campaign heats up, two dedicated high school students, Abhijeet Mand from North Point High School and Munachi Obinali from La Plata High School, are vying for this prestigious role.
Virtual Town Hall Showdown
On Wednesday, February 19, students will have the opportunity to hear directly from Abhijeet and Munachi during a virtual town hall at 6 p.m. This event promises to be an exciting forum where the candidates will address questions submitted by their fellow CCPS students in Grades 6 through 12. The livestream of the town hall on the CCPS YouTube channel will provide an intimate glimpse into the candidates’ platforms, visions, and aspirations for the student body.
Election Process and Responsibilities
The stakes are high as the election process unfolds from March 31 to May 2, with ballots being emailed to students via Synergy. The results will be revealed during the week of May 6, marking a significant moment for the chosen student who will serve as the Student Member of the Board for the 2025-2026 school year. This individual will play a crucial role in representing the student body’s interests while holding full membership on the Board, with the exception of certain voting matters.
As the campaign progresses, CCPS students will have the chance to delve deeper into the candidates’ perspectives through introductory videos and issue statements accessible online starting February 21. These resources will be available on the Charles County Association of Student Councils (CCASC) website for middle and high school students who are logged into their CCPS Office 365 account.
The responsibilities of the Student Member of the Board are both challenging and rewarding, offering a unique opportunity for a student to contribute to important decisions that impact the entire school community. While the student representative has voting rights on most issues, there are specific matters, such as legal appeals, personnel affairs, and budget decisions, where their input is not permitted.
As the election season unfolds, students are encouraged to engage with the candidates, participate in the town hall, and make informed decisions when casting their votes. The selected Student Member of the Board will have the honor of being sworn into office in late June, ready to embark on a transformative one-year term representing the student voice at the highest level.
For any inquiries about the election process or the upcoming town hall event, students can reach out to CCASC advisor Gary Winsett at gwinsett@ccboe.com. The CCPS community eagerly anticipates the outcome of this crucial election, as the next Student Member of the Board prepares to lead with passion, dedication, and a commitment to serving the student body.
