Annual SMOB Convention to be Held March 21, 2023

February 1st, 2023

Howard County Association of Student Councils (HCASC) will host its annual Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) Convention from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at Wilde Lake High School. Organized and led by HCASC members, the event will bring together 138 delegates representing all HCPSS middle and high schools for a series of activities designed to familiarize them with the candidates competing to become the 2023-2024 SMOB. (Note: this event is open to designated HCPSS students and staff only, and is not open to the public.)

At this year’s convention, delegates will listen to prepared statements from each SMOB candidate. They will also participate in a structured question-and-answer session with each candidate, as well as a “round robin” session, during which delegates will have the opportunity to dialogue with candidates in a small group setting. At the end of the convention, delegates will select two candidates to run in the general SMOB election, being held on May 3. All students in grades 6-11 are eligible to vote in that election.

There are a variety of opportunities for middle and high school students to get involved leading up to the SMOB election:

• Current 10th or 11th grade students can complete and submit an application by March 3, 2023 to become Student Member of the Board.
• All other middle and high school students can:
• Work with their school-based administrator to select the delegates from their school.
• Complete and submit an online application by Feb. 15 to become a convention delegate.
• Attend monthly HCASC meetings and quarterly Listen and Learn sessions.
• Visit the HCASC website and read the Weekly Student Newsletters in Canvas.
• Vote in the SMOB general election via Canvas on May 3.

Additional information about this year’s SMOB convention can be found on the Student Member of the Board Convention Portal.