Patricia O’Neill, current vice president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, will take over as president next year after her colleagues unanimously selected her on December 9. Fellow board member Michael Durso will replace O’Neill as the new vice president.

O’Neill has been a Board member since 1998. She has served the one-year term as President 4 times before.

Looking forward, O’Neill said she plans to focus on two key issues: the operating budget and the capital budget.

The operating budget supports the day-to-day operations of the school system, including the provision of teachers and other staff, supplies, materials and other operational needs of schools and offices, according to the MCPS website.

“We have a big challenge with our operating budget, and I hope we can work through it at the local level,” O’Neill said.

If the operating budget is not fixed, class sizes could increase, she said.

The capital budget supports school construction and other major projects related to schools and other facilities, according to the MCPS website.

O’Neill hopes problems with the capital budget will be fixed through legislation from the Maryland legislature, but she doubts the necessary changes will be made because of the state’s budget deficit.

“If we don’t get the necessary funds for our capital budget, there could be more classes held in trailers,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill’s new responsibilities, which includes being the official Spokeswoman of the Board and setting the agenda with the vice president, will help her achieve these goals in the upcoming year.

“I’m happy to work with my colleagues to achieve our goals,” O’Neill said. “It’s a team effort.”