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Students ask board to require clearer rules for SMOB, SGAs and delegate selection in Policy 2010
Summary
Multiple student leaders from Long Reach High and other schools told the Board of Education March 13 that Policy 2010 lacks enforceable requirements for the Student Member of the Board (SMOB), school Student Government Associations (SGAs) and delegate selection for regional and state student council bodies. They proposed attendance and selection
A group of student leaders testified at the March 13 meeting asking the board to amend Policy 2010 to create clearer, enforceable expectations for the Student Member of the Board (SMOB), school Student Government Associations (SGAs) and the selection of school delegates to county and state student‑council organizations.
Students’ proposals
- SMOB duties and accountability: Roman Edwards, a senior and SGA leader at Long Reach High School, proposed adding specific attendance and engagement standards for the SMOB in policy language — for example, attending at least eight of twelve HCAS (Howard County Association of Student Councils) meetings per year, participating in at least one Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) conference per year, and visiting at least one middle and one high school annually. Edwards said current policy language leaves implementation to interpretation and produces widely variable SMOB activity year to year.
- Delegate selection and SGA structure: Multiple student speakers asked that each school select delegates by grade and through transparent processes (interviews by principals or SGA leadership), require delegates to be active members of student government and prevent delegate slates from being chosen by SMOB candidates themselves. They asked that Policy 2010 explicitly define and require structured SGAs, not just spirit or “pep” groups, and proposed a regional adviser position to provide consistent oversight and support.
- Connection to state student council (MASC): Students asked the district to strengthen ties to MASC so county delegations participate consistently in state advocacy and that HCPSS funding/structures support school attendance at state events.
Why it matters
Students framed the changes as a way to strengthen authentic student voice and ensure that board‑level student representation reflects the views of active student leaders across the county, not only the activities of a single campus or a small delegation. Board members acknowledged the requests and said staff would consider how to incorporate more specific attendance and selection language into policy review.
Speakers
- Roman Edwards — Senior, Long Reach High School; SGA leader (testimony proposing SMOB attendance requirements) - Gavin Falcone — Sophomore, Long Reach High School; Leadership Committee head (testimony on SGA structure) - Joshua Aje — Sophomore, Long Reach High School (testified on differentiation of middle and high school representative roles)
Sections
Lede: Student leaders urged clearer, enforceable requirements for SMOB attendance and delegate selection when the board next reviews Policy 2010, proposing minimum meeting attendance, school‑level SGA requirements, and a more transparent delegate selection process.
Nut graf: Students said the present policy leaves too much to interpretation; they asked for specific attendance minimums, grade‑based delegate interviews and a requirement that delegates be active student‑government members to ensure consistent county and state representation.
Ending: Board members acknowledged the testimony; staff will include student input as part of the policy‑review process for Policy 2010.
