Arvin Kim elected as the next SMOB

Walt Whitman High School's junior Arvin Kim will be the next student member of the Montgomery County Board of Education. He will be sworn in for his one-year term on July 1st, replacing current SMOB and Richard Montgomery High School student Hana O’Looney.

Arvin Kim was elected on the vote from MCPS middle and high school students on April 20th. According to MCPS's announcement, Arvin Kim received 58.7% of all votes, while his challenger, Baba Cisse, received 40.8%.

Arvin Kim visited Tilden MS (a few weeks ago)

Many students at Tilden Middle School were supportive of Baba Cisse's campaign, and other students claimed that the election results were overturned.

Arvin is discussing important issues including increased funding, mental health days, and safer schools at the national, state, and local levels. He is also vice president of the Asian American Progressive Student Union.

What is SMOB?

The SMOB, or the Student Member of Board, is a voting member of the Montgomery County Board of Education. The SMOB can vote on matters relating to collective bargaining, capital and operating budgets, school closings and reopenings, and boundaries. The SMOB cannot vote on negative personnel actions. The SMOB does not get paid but, however, does receive a $5,000 college scholarship, SSL hours, and one honors-level social studies credit.