High school juniors in good academic standing can get more information on becoming the 2025-2026 Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) of Anne Arundel County during a virtual Information Night scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Students may join via Google Meet. The meeting link will be posted on the CRASC website, www.aacps.org/crasc.
This informational meeting is for all interested juniors to learn about the process of nomination, campaigning, election, and appointment. Interested students are encouraged to attend and will have an opportunity to hear from AACPS’ 51st Student Member of the Board, Hafsa Hamdaoui.
Anne Arundel County’s SMOB is the only one in the nation on a local board who has full voting rights. The SMOB is elected by members of the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC) and appointed by the Governor.
The nomination process for the 2025-2026 seat opens on Thursday, February 6, 2025, and concludes at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Nomination forms should be emailed to the Department of Student Leadership at spellegrin@aacps.org. No nomination forms will be accepted after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
The following are other key dates in the process:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025: First of two campaign clinics offered by the CRASC. These workshops are designed to help students prepare for elections including SMOB, CRASC, class officers and student government and are open to all interested students. SMOB nominees are encouraged to attend. Each workshop will cover separate materials and themes. This clinic will focus on platform development. It begins at 6:30 p.m. via Google Meet.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025: 2024-2025 Student Member of the Board nomination period closes at 4 p.m. No nominations will be accepted after 4 p.m.
Monday, March 3, 2025: SMOB application packets are due to the Department of Student Leadership by 4 p.m. All essays, letters of recommendation, and resumes must be submitted by email to spellegrin@aacps.org.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Second of two clinics sponsored by CRASC. This clinic will focus on campaigning and election presentations. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. via Google Meet or in person at the Carol S. Parham Building, located at 2644 Riva Road.
Friday, March 7, 2025: All nominees for SMOB will be scheduled for an interview. These interviews are scored and used to select the three finalists who will advance to the SMOB Election.
Thursday, March 20, 2025: CRASC will host a SMOB candidate Town Hall meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. via Google Meet.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025: CRASC will host a debate at 6:30 p.m. between the three SMOB finalists. This debate will be moderated by a student and the format will be determined by CRASC. It will be broadcast live on the AACPS’ YouTube channel.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025: CRASC will host an Instagram Live event at 7:00 p.m. with the three SMOB finalists.
CRASC will host the Student Member of the Board election in late April. The name of the candidate who receives the most votes in this election will be forwarded to the governor for appointment.