2015 [DRAFT] SMOB Nomination Convention Voter Guide

The 2015 SMOB Nominating Convention Agenda and Voter Guide

Welcome to NomCon!

This year has been quite eventful for Montgomery County. We have a new governor, a new state and county government and a mountain of policies and problems that officials will have to face.

Today we will be starting the election process of one of the most important officials in the county; the Student Member of the Board of Education. SMOBs have been able to make major changes in the county even when they don’t have full voting rights; the superintendent’s resignation and school start times were all major decisons that ring a bell lately. The new SMOB will have to take on an enormous and complex role, representing all students of Montgomery County and making sure all of their voices are heard.

Because of the amount of candidates, there will be multiple rounds of voting to get the field of candidates down to two. This means there will be less speech time and more voting time.

The Special Elections Committee would like to thank Springbrook High School and would like to wish the best of luck to the candidates and their supporters!

SEC

MCR-SGA

MCPS BOE

The Agenda:

Notable Speakers:

Presiding: MCR President, Richie Yarrow 12:30p.m. Call to Order

MCR President, Richie Yarrow Greetings from Springbrook High School’s Principal Samuel A. Rivera

Reports from:

Special Election Administrator, Sabrina Cauton Present Members of the Board of Education

Current SMOB, Dahlia Huh

Invited Speakers 1:10 p.m. Candidates’ Speeches Each candidate is allowed speak for up to three minutes.

Formal Question and Answer Period I Questions prepared by SEC

Richard Yarrow

Samuel A. Rivera

2:00 p.m. Voting Round 1

This vote reduces the number of candidates to four.

2:20 p.m. Recess

Club Performance 2:40 p.m. Question and Answer Period II

Please bring your questions for the SMOB Candidates to the SEC screening station for approval during recess.

Sabrina Cauton

4:00 p.m. Voting Round 2

This vote decides the two candidates who are in the general election.

Please cast your vote and enjoy a snack provided by Springbrook in the cafeteria.

Please remain in the cafeteria until the conclusion of the convention.

4:20 p.m. Announcement of Ballot Results 4:30 p.m. Adjournment (board buses to return to schools)

Please encourage students from your school to vote and learn about the SMOB Elections!

NOTE: All delegates are required to remain on the campus of Springbrook High School, in the specified areas during the entire convention.

Dahlia Huh

Candidate Profiles

The Candidates (alphabetical order): Rachit Agarwal Richard Montgomery High School Richard Banach Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Harris Baylin Wheaton High School Eric Guerci Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Cameron Reed Springbrook High School Zachary Williams Montgomery Blair High School

The candidates were supposed to answer two questions (200 word maximum each) and state their positions in total under 1000 words.

If elected, what are your top three non-budgetary priorities you wish to see completed during your term? What action/ steps would be needed to obtain them?

Even though the Student Member of the Board currently does not have a vote on the MCPS budget, they do have an active role in expressing the student’s voice in it. If you could allocate an additional five million dollars anywhere in the budget, where would it be and why?

The candidate profiles have been prepared by the candidates and do not necessarily represent the views of the Special Election Committee, the Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils, or Montgomery County Public Schools. The Special Election Committee cannot assure the accuracy of the statements contained in the document. The profiles are printed in an unedited form except for possible formatting.

NOTE: Some candidates did not provide information or went over the word limit.

Every thing said beyond the 1000th word has been cut. SEC used only what the candidates provided.

Rachit Agarwal

Grade 11 - Richard Montgomery High School Rachit_Agarwal@mcpsmd.org www.RachitForSMOB.com

Hey! My name is Rachit Agarwal. I’m a junior at Richard Montgomery High School, and I hope to have your support in my bid to be your next Student Member of the Board of Education. Montgomery County is an incredibly diverse community—ethnically, economically, religiously, experientially. Here’s what I, Rachit Agarwal, bring to the table: Passion. Dedication. Experience. Positivity. Visionary leadership. Fostering. ‘Truthiness’. These are all words that you constantly hear, words you have probably grown tired of (well, maybe not the last one). And it makes sense. Every year, we sugarcoat (or ‘sice’) the concept of “student leadership” in a vain hope that somehow if we make what we do sound impressive, we’ll be able to do impressive things. Student governments and student representation on the Montgomery County Board of Education places us in a unique position to advocate for ourselves and for our younger siblings, but more often than not, we set ourselves up for disappointment.

We hope to make changes to how our school system works, because we see the need for change —in our classrooms, at the orchestra pit, sports practice, and debate tournaments. But it takes time to make many of these changes. The SMOB isn’t realistically capable of immediate tangible change; this occurs about as often as Leonardo DiCaprio wins an Oscar. As much as we’d like to think so, that isn’t what we send students to the Board of Education to do.

In the short-term, I will approach the position of SMOB as a link between the Board and the students, and advocating for changes that can be implemented soon.

The SMOB’s true responsibility is to represent the future students of MCPS by setting a solid foundation for them. The policies we enact now will have a greater effect on the current children that will soon be MCPS students. That’s why I’m advocating for an expansion of countywide Pre-K programs that will help our children get the high-quality start they need. After all, 85% of brain development occurs before we even set foot in a school.

If elected Student Member on the Board, I plan on: - Dramatically improving communication between the SMOB and the students. You’ll have an easy way to talk to me and other students through the myMCPS web and mobile apps. I will also send out frequent video updates and hold monthly open town hall meetings in order to listen to you. Trust me, I need friends to talk to.

- Introducing policies that help reduce the achievement gap while benefitting all students. For reducing the achievement gap, my priorities are lower class sizes, implementation of open technology, and expansion of early childhood education. See more in the platform.

Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Remember, we need to focus less on poetry, and more on practicality. Thank you so much for your support, and I look forward to talking to you!

In conclusion, #letsgetrachit.

Education Richard Montgomery High School: International Baccalaureate :( Roberto Clemente Middle School: Math/Science/Computer Science Fallsmead Elementary School Experience (more details at rachitforsmob.com/record) SMOB Student Advisory Council (SAC) (2014) Chief of Technology: Working with current SMOB to develop app for scholarships/internships (2013) Public Relations Officer: Facilitated communication through videos Montgomery County Regional (MCR) SGA (2014) Tech Deputy: Co-developed/launched MCR website, started and leading open technology initiative (2013) Media Deputy: Publicized works of MCR through social media/videos; Encouraged council to partner with local businesses Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar (2014) Delegate: Represented Richard Montgomery HS Richard Montgomery High School DECA (2014) Co-President: Working with Cornell/Montgomery College to bring free business classes to school Richard Montgomery High School SGA (2013) Schoolwide Treasurer: Reached out to students through videos Roberto Clemente Middle School SGA (2011) President: Led charitable and efficient efforts through events; Increased student engagement through social media and website

Platform (more details at rachitforsmob.com/platform) Goal: Reducing the achievement gap with policies that benefit all students Achievement Gap: Expansion of countywide Pre-K, staff development, lower class sizes, bilingual ESOL teachers, partnerships with SAT/ACT test prep companies for low-income students, school renovations, scholarships/internships app, use of free software tools in classrooms Capital Improvements Plan (School Renovations): Expediting plan to target high-need schools faster Student Workload: Use of assessment schedules, consistent grading policies, project-based learning Environment: Continuation of recyclable lunch trays, use of solar panels in schools Athletics: New athletic turf fields through partnerships with sports organizations Magnet Programs: Emphasizing programs in under-performing schools Extracurriculars/Electives: Partnerships with with colleges and using free/low-cost online resources to increase variety and quality of extracurricular activities Bell Times: More research into students, minimizing financial burden, talking to students and teachers to see which model is the best for them Common Core/Curriculum 2.0: More research by communicating with current students to examine effectiveness, rethinking its implementation in classrooms

Questions If elected, what are your top three non-budgetary priorities you wish to see completed during your term? What action/steps would be needed to obtain them?

1. Open Communication Using my experience in technology, I will integrate an easy way to communicate with me into the myMCPS web/mobile app. I will also send frequent video updates and hold monthly town hall meetings.

2. Open Technology

“Technology in the classroom” isn’t just about purchasing devices; it’s about being smart in how we use software/ hardware. My open technology plan helps teachers implement apps like Google Classroom and Khan Academy into their classes so students can better connect with their teachers for free. These tools will help students learn more effectively.

3. Open Scholarships/Internships

I plan to continue SMOB Dahlia’s work on an internships and scholarships database by continuing to develop a web/mobile app called Ship to help teachers, counselors, and students collaborate to find these opportunities. Scholarships and internships should be open and accessible to every student in Montgomery County, and this plan will do just that.

Richard Banach

Bethesda Chevy Chase High School Varsity Basketball and past years on JV Sunday School Teacher Aid for 2 years Creator and president of BCC Chess Club Worked at Montgomery County Summer Camp 3.7 Unweighted GPA There is no information from Harris Baylin.

Eric Guerci

Bethesda Chevy Chase High School Between 6th and 12th grade, each of us will take dozens of standardized tests, hundreds of final exams, and be judged by colleges on our GPAs. When did we just become numbers in MCPS? Who decided that letters and numbers define our potential to lead, learn, and grow? As students, we want to be defined by our actions and our character, not our GPAs and test scores. I am running for SMOB because our education is at a crossroads. We want an education that prepares us for the future and cultivates our academic, athletic, and extracurricular interests.

As a fellow student and advocate in MCPS, I share your concerns about our daily school lives. With a track record of serving you, the endorsements of two former SMOBS, and the support of students across our county, I am proud to be running to be the voice of our diverse and vibrant student body.

I have passionately fought for our voice by serving as the Vice President of the Montgomery County Regional SGA and working side-by-side with our SMOBs to champion initiatives such as technology in the classroom on the SMOB Advisory Council.

These past few months, I’ve been visiting your schools to meet you in person because I value your concerns, ideas, and suggestions. I’ve sat down with fellow students, including Minority Scholars leaders and student athletes, in order to fully appreciate your values and the policies that impact your daily lives. My campaign isn’t built around me; it’s about you, your beliefs, and your desire to see tangible change.

My vision for MCPS is simple: every student should have the opportunity to fulfill his or her highest potential. That means closing the achievement gap with real solutions, such as my plan to implement project-based learning in every school. That also means securing additional money to renovate our schools to combat overcrowding at schools like Clarksburg and Wootton. My plan for MCPS puts education back into your hands. Taking our education back won’t be easy, but if we as students come together, empowered by a strong student voice on the Board, we can achieve real progress for MCPS. Please join me in our fight for our education.

Endorsed by SMOB Justin Kim: “Eric is uniquely qualified to be SMOB, with extensive experience and a proven record of fighting tirelessly for the student body. I urge all MCPS students to stand up for a better Montgomery County by voting Eric Guerci for SMOB.” A 5-point plan to obtain realistic and meaningful results: 1. Expand our technology implementation to include personal phones and tablets.

2. Expedite school and athletic facility renovations and additions.

3. Close the achievement gap with solutions such as expanding project-based learning.

4. Change grading policies to reduce and redefine homework and assessments.

5. Decrease class sizes to help make learning more personal for every student.

A Record of Fighting for You:

Montgomery County Regional SGA (MCR) - Vice President, Finance Committee Chairman, leads an organization to represent the 45,000+ High School Students of MCPS, fostering educational innovation and developing solutions to MCPS problems SMOB Advisory Council (SAC) - Senior Policy Advisor to SMOB Justin Kim, worked side-by-side with SMOB Justin Kim on open lunch, school construction, and bell times Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) - Trainer B-CC High School - Elected and reelected SGA Officer Westland Middle School - Co-President, developed first ever middle school legislative platform while reaching out to students through town halls with unprecedented success

I Support: Greater student involvement as stakeholders in the decision-making process Real and lasting solutions to close the achievement gap and the engagement gap, such as promoting student and parent engagement through high expectations, college and career readiness programs, and diversifying the teacher workforce Fully funding the Operating and Capital Improvements Budgets Reducing class sizes through an increase in the number of high-quality teachers Expedited school renovations, additions, and modernizations Green initiatives, including green roofs and solar panels on school buildings Greater internship and career opportunities Student evaluation of teachers State of the art athletic environments, including Turf fields in more schools P.E. credit exemption for student athletes in varsity and JV sports I Oppose: Increased class sizes Budget cuts to vital academic and extracurricular programs Teaching to the test The replacement of on-level courses with honors courses In-school punishments for off-school transgressions Increased bus waits as a result of the new bus depot Loss of class credit or other academic punishments for unexcused absences a) If elected, what are your top three non-budgetary priorities you wish to see completed during your term?

What actions/steps would be needed to obtain them?

As outlined in my 5-point plan, there are meaningful changes to our school system which can be achieved without spending money. First, I will create a task force with Dr. Starr that carefully examines student workload and its effect on student wellbeing with the goal of reducing student workload. Second, I will increase communication between the SMOB and the students by doubling the number of student town halls and effectively integrating technology such as Google Apps. Third, I will implement a Bring Your Own Device policy where students are allowed to bring technology from home into the classrooms to reap the benefits of educational connectivity. b) Even though the Student Member of the Board currently does not have a vote on the MCPS budget, they do have an active role in expressing the student’s voice in it. If you could allocate an additional five million dollars anywhere in the budget, where would it be and why?

In order to empower students to make a difference, I would establish a countywide social impact competition called the MCPS Student Impact Challenge. Students of all grades would be able to design and propose an idea, innovation, or business plan that would solve a social issue in our community. Fifty student winners would get $100,000 to implement their proposals.

Cameron Reed

Grade 11 Springbrook HS www.CameronforSMOB.com It is truly an honor to be a candidate for your next Student Member of the Board of Education and it would be an even greater honor to be serve as the next SMOB. I hope that after reading this, you will have a much better idea of my vision for MCPS in the 2015-2016 school year.

My inspiration to become the 2015-2016 SMOB comes from my fellow students like yourself. I know that MCPS students care deeply about their education as well as their extracurricular and athletic activities. However there are still many things that prevent students from learning to the best of their abilities and participating in all the activities they wish to. Improving MCPS is our responsibility, but not every student is given the chance to voice their opinion and not every student is given the chance to discuss the issues they have to cope with on a daily basis.

My experience in student advocacy with organizations such as the Montgomery County Regional SGA, the Maryland Association of Student Councils and the SMOB Advisory Council has given me the opportunity to speak on your behalf to the Maryland General Assembly, the Board of Education and the Montgomery County Council on educational initiatives and policies. My experience as a student representative on two committees in the Montgomery County Council has given me the ability to work with elected officials very similar to the Board of Education members. Due to this experience with both students and officials, I will be able to effectively communicate your voice to the Board of Education when discussing all of the issues that matter to you most.

In attending this Nominating Convention, you have already taken a step towards having your voice heard. I ask that you take another step towards bettering MCPS and vote for me. The candidate who has the experience and the leadership to champion solutions to issues in MCPS, yet reflects the voice of the student body in everything they do. I hope you’ll join me in building a brighter future for MCPS. Thank you.

Leadership & Experience: Maryland Association of Student Councils(MASC) - Student Legislative Affairs Coordinator Network Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association(MCR-SGA) Executive board member/ Legislative Department Member Montgomery County SMOB Advisory Council(SAC) - Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics(STEM) Representative Montgomery County Council - Student Representative Worked with the Education and Technology & Energy Committees Springbrook SGA - Class of 2016 Senator Youth for National Change (YNC) - Maryland State Director Education: Charles R. Drew ES, Parkland MS(Aerospace & Engineering Magnet program), Springbrook HS(IB program, AOIT program)

I SUPPORT: Closing the Achievement Gap Full funding of the FY 2015-2016 Budget Full SMOB Voting Rights Reducing class sizes by hiring more teachers The Technology Initiative and Bring Your Own Device Policy Cell Phone Rights for Middle Schools Open lunch Funding for a large variety of electives Funding for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) Program Funding for Magnet, IB, Edison and ROTC Hiring more special needs teachers to decrease student-to-teacher ratios The improvement of school lunch quality A large variety of extracurricular activities for Middle and High Schools Outdoor Education Varsity and JV sports replacing P.E Credits Capital Improvements Learning through application I OPPOSE: Increasing class sizes Impartial funding for the Geographic Cost Education Index(GCEI) Cuts in electives Cuts in Art/Drama/Music and Technology programs/classes Cuts in after-school programs and activity buses Cuts in Athletics Bullying Maintenance of Effort penalty The replacement of on-level classes Test scores as the only indicator of a student’s potential

Zachary Williams

Montgomery Blair High School

1000 Word Max About Me:

My main priority in becoming the Student Member of the Board lies in the true purpose of the SMOB, representing all of the students of Montgomery County justly and properly. This core belief is often forgotten about over the course of the race and pushed aside for policy and qualifications, but this is my core and strongest purpose. The representation of our students is why I am so passionate about this position and want to run. It is why I’m for things like reducing our achievement gap and modernizing our classrooms. I want to be the voice for all of you.

With new things happening in our county like PARCC testing, chromebooks in classrooms, and an impending move away from Edline, a SMOB who is up to date on all of the issues and has experience is key. I have worked in school and county SGA for my entire secondary school career. I am a current active member on the SMOB advisory council so I fully understand the immense time commitment that comes with SMOB, but I have also been able to see and experience the enormous potential to make our county a better place while getting input on crucial issues from our students.

My experience in serving our community is what I believe has impacted my view toward our county most. I have lead Bring on The Books, a book collection service for at risk children, and tutored local students; my time in these jobs has really opened my eyes to some of the great disparities that exist within even our excellent community. It has also presented me with a unique perspective dedicated to help those in our county who need it most.

I have a passion for this position, and it is almost more than a position for me. It is a way for me to serve all of you and help unite our county. As SMOB I would never lose sight of this and would continue to get your input all through the year so I could be sure that I am getting what you want done. So I ask of you to put your trust in me so I can help lead the way to our county being to best it can be by giving all of our students an equal and excellent education.

Question 1 Response: Through out the year many of you likely lose track of your SMOB this is not due to a lack of work, but to a lack of an avenue to get directly to you. As SMOB, I will create a new SMOB update that delivers what I am doing and how you can get involved to all secondary school students in the county. This will take coordination with the board and staff at MCPS, but it would get done with me.

I will also form a new monthly SMOB meeting at different schools around the county in order to get a sense of all of your views. It is important to me to vote on things that matter to the populace and this is the other half of the equation in me staying in the student’s lives throughout the year.

As of now the SMOB cannot vote on budgetary issues, minimizing the students’ full voice. As SMOB, I will continue to advocate for full SMOB voting rights and lobby intensely.

Question 2 Response: If I could allocate an additional five million dollars anywhere in the budget it would have to be into funding for tutoring for our lowest performing students. Montgomery County is already one of the top counties in our country, but disparities in our students’ academic performance is holding us back. With additional help for our struggling students I could help unite our county and make success equally as possible for anyone in our great county.

Resume: Director of High School Affairs for the SMOB Advisory Committee Sophomore Class President Captain of Bring on the Books Tutor for T.T.T.O.

Credits and People: SEC Administration: Sabrina Cauton- Administrator Max Kittner and Alison Wachen- Deputies Current SMOB: Dahlia Huh MCR Executives: Richard Yarrow- President Eric Guerci- Vice President Ketki Chauhan- Secretary Charlie Kang- Treasurer and the rest of the Executive Board!

Photos from Nominating Convention 2014 and from the 2015 Candidates Filing Meeting. Photos from MCR and the Facebook page SMOB Dahlia Huh. Guide Design by Max Kittner