SMOB finalists clash on 'readiness' vs. a co‑op pilot as students press on budget and school conditions

Brian Tobias Polanco and Sydney Mosley used a students‑run town hall on April 17 to highlight sharply different paths to the same goal: better prepare Prince George's County students for life after graduation.

Polanco, a finalist from Oxon Hill High School, framed his platform under the banner "Rise with Brian," spelling out R for readiness, I for inclusion, S for safety and support, and E for equality. "My platform serves as Rise with Brian," he said, arguing that expanding career and technical education (CTE) programs and adding internship opportunities will give students "hands‑on experience while in high school." He said his first step would be "going to schools and asking which program better suits the need of them" so districts that lack particular CTE pathways can get them.

Mosley, a finalist from Bowie High School, said her campaign theme is "being realistic." She described a co‑op learning pilot that would let eligible seniors alternate weeks between school and work so students can gain job skills and learn practical tasks like filing W‑2s and doing taxes. "Students will be able to go to school for one week with their cohort and then the next week they will be able to work," Mosley said, adding that partnerships with local employers would be central to the plan.

Budget context and limits ran through both proposals. Mosley warned students that "Our county is down $150" (the speaker did not give a unit in the transcript) and said that fact shaped her emphasis on low‑cost, partnership‑based solutions such as the co‑op. Both candidates described the SMOB role as primarily an advocacy position with limited formal voting power; Mosley noted SMOBs in the county do not have full voting rights on some personnel matters.

The candidates also contrasted how they would translate student input into action. Polanco focused on regular school visits and social‑media recaps of board meetings to bring student perspectives to board discussions; Mosley proposed a public record of how she would vote on policies and a "72‑hour school audit" requiring the board to acknowledge and respond to student‑reported building problems.

Why it matters: The Student Member of the Board represents roughly 130,000 PGCPS students and is the primary student voice to administrators and the Board. With candidates proposing different, operationally distinct approaches — classroom‑focused CTE/internships vs. alternating work‑school co‑op and fast‑response audits — the choice will influence the next SMOB's advocacy priorities amid an ongoing district budget debate.

Closing note: The town hall provided a public contrast of priorities; both finalists urged students to stay engaged and to use public‑comment opportunities to press for resources and changes. The session adjourned at 7:57 p.m.