This story, originally published at 3:31 p.m. Nov 27, 2024, was updated at 3:58 p.m. Nov. 29, 2024, to correct the number of terms served by the departing school board members.
The Montgomery County school board on Monday will swear in three new members chosen by voters in the Nov. 5 general election.
School board candidates Natalie Zimmerman (Dist. 2), Laura Stewart (Dist. 4) and Rita Montoya (At-Large) took home the most votes, beating out Brenda Diaz (Dist. 2) and incumbents Shebra Evans (Dist. 4) and Lynne Harris (At-Large). Another incumbent, Rebecca Smondrowski, lost her effort to keep her District 2 seat in the May primary.
Zimmerman, Stewart and Montoya will be sworn at 4 p.m. Monday at the school board headquarters at 15 W. Gude Drive in Rockville. During the ceremony, the board also will honor Smondrowski, who served for 12 years; Evans, who served for eight; and Harris, who completed one term.
Zimmerman, Stewart and Montoya will be sworn at 4 p.m. Monday at the school board headquarters at 15 W. Gude Drive in Rockville. During the ceremony, the board also will honor Evans, who served for 12 years; Smondrowski, who served for eight; and Harris, who completed one term.
The first business meeting for the three new members will be Dec. 5. The board will hold officer elections during the 9 a.m. session, choosing a president and vice president. Karla Silvestre is the current president while Harris is the vice president.
According to the meeting agenda, members also will be appointed at about 6 p.m. to board committees, including those for special populations, communication and stakeholder engagement, fiscal management, policy management and strategic planning.
At this business meeting, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Thomas Taylor also is scheduled to introduce his recommended operating budget for fiscal year 2026, which starts July 1, 2025. Taylor, who started his tenure July 1, will present an update on his entry plan. The board also expected to hear a literacy progress update.
