The Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) announced the creation of a new advisory committee designed to strengthen community engagement and communication, Dec 5. The standing committee will include community members and students, giving them a direct role in the Board’s decision-making process. 

The committee aims to build stronger partnerships between the community, families, and MCPS schools by actively considering the ideas, interests and concerns of all stakeholders. Each year, the Board will assign the committee a key topic to address, and ultimately, the committee will present a set of ideas and suggestions to the Board. 

The new group replaces the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Committee, which included BOE members Julie Yang, Brenda Wolff and Shebra Evans. 

BOE President Julie Yang said the new committee will adopt a more direct approach to community engagement by fostering open communication and dialogue with MCPS families. She said that the committee is still in the planning stages.

“This year the board would like to boast more front-facing community engagement,” Yang said. “The board would love to hear community feedback on how communications are going or what better ways can people be engaged.” 

In its first year, the committee will address the upcoming boundary studies for the Crown and Woodward High School projects, as well as the expansion of Damascus High School.

In 2027, MCPS will open two new high schools, the Crown and Woodward schools. The boundary study will help reevaluate what middle and high schools MCPS students will attend. The study plans to prioritize creating a diverse student body while aiming to keep students close to home and minimize disruptions. 

Junior Tina Garcia said student input on boundary studies and the opening of new schools is crucial for developing and implementing these plans effectively. She said that she knows students who could be directly affected by the opening of new MCPS schools. 

“Students need to speak out about their needs so large decisions don’t happen without guidance from the people who are most affected by these studies,” Garcia said. “If people really want things to change, it’s important that they speak up.”

The committee will represent the MCPS facility department, students, and other community members. The Board’s vice president will also represent the Board on the committee. 

Senior Caroline Jensen said that the committee will benefit from hearing community opinion. 

“This will be super beneficial for both students and parents because it creates a safe environment for the community to discuss issues at schools,” Jensen said. “Students will be able to voice their opinions in a space where real change can happen.”