April 17, 2026 – By Henry Wolf
The MoCo Student Member of the Board Election will take place on Wednesday April 22, 2026. Full video interview linked at the end.
Meet Reemey Ghermay, a junior at Watler Johson high school, and finalist for the 49th student member of the board (SMOB). Ghermay has been involved in student government since the 6th grade, and joined Montgomery County Junior Council (MCJC), where she became inspired to run for SMOB. Throughout her time in MCJC she got the opportunity to connect with students around the county, which inspired her campaign to elevate student voices.
“A lot of students still didn’t know who they were or what the role even was, and that was really disheartening, because that role is truly meant to uplift student voices and ensure students are heard on the Board of Education,” Ghermay said. “That’s really why I’m running. I want to ensure that students feel represented, feel like they know who I am, can talk to me, and can reach out if they have a problem. By staying connected with students and continuing to advocate for them throughout my term, I hope to make that a reality.”
A Campaign Centered on Student Voice
As mentioned, Ghermay’s campaign is all about letting the student voices be heard. She constantly meets with students to learn their perspectives about their schools, and the challenges they face. The combination of her personal experience and knowledge she gains by talking to other students helps her make informed decisions about the county, including redistricting.
Balancing Growth and Stability in MCPS
“Making too many changes in a short time period is really disruptive to students. I spoke with students at Tilden just this past week who were deeply concerned about being moved to Woodward after spending their freshman and sophomore years at Walt Johnson” Ghermay said. “That kind of upheaval affects not just grades but mental health as well. It’s just too disruptive. Ensuring students can get to school on time and maintain their school community is incredibly important. From personal experience, I chose Walt Johnson over Richard Montgomery’s IB program despite getting in, specifically because of proximity. I knew the added stress of transportation and distance would affect my ability to do sports and extracurriculars, and that tradeoff wasn’t worth it.”
With her unique combination of experience and care for students, Ghermay is ready to fight for what students deserve. One of the biggest problems in the county for students is overcrowded schools, and poor facilities. These are issues faced all across the county including Walter Johnson where Ghermay attends. She has experienced first hand how overcrowded schools can affect students, and has created a campaign that focuses on fixing these problems.
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Facilities, Overcrowding, and Infrastructure
“Infrastructure is something I’m very passionate about. Just last week, Wootton had a pipe burst, which was heartbreaking for that community on top of everything else they’ve faced this year. But no student should have to be in a school where the classroom is too hot or cold, the HVAC is faulty, ceiling tiles are breaking, or bathrooms aren’t working. And yet that has become the norm in our county, which is really unfortunate, especially for a county with a $3.7 billion operating budget,” Ghermay said. “What I’d like to do is prioritize the schools facing the most urgent issues first, and then establish clear timelines for ongoing maintenance going forward. For example, HVAC systems need to be updated every 20 years by design, so we should be tracking those timelines proactively rather than waiting for things to fail.”
Mental Health Awareness and Access
Although there are many problems inside MCPS, many students aren’t using resources to their fullest potential, practically regarding mental health. So many students don’t realize the amount of help the county offers in terms of mental health. With so much support offered, it’s important that students understand how to take advantage. Despite this, Ghermay feels like it’s not enough, and will continue to push for mental health support.
“We saw a strong focus on mental health in the years right after COVID, but that urgency has faded. Many students don’t even know about the Bridge to Wellness program at their school, so they can’t take advantage of it,” Ghermay said. “We need to make sure students know who their counselor is, who their school psychologist is, and how to access support without it being a scavenger hunt. And of course, reducing that student-to-counselor ratio so every student can get more targeted attention is something we should keep pushing for.”
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With Ghermay’s focus on students, her SMOB campaign has led to a focus on keeping bathrooms open. While talking to students and visiting schools, she heard and noticed the bathrooms were never open. These closures can lead to students not being as comfortable in school and not being in class as much.
“The biggest thing that comes to mind is bathrooms being closed. I’ve heard this consistently at every single school visit, middle and high school alike. Students are walking around for 10 minutes just to find an open bathroom, and it impacts so much more than just convenience,” Ghermay said. “It affects how long students are out of class, their health and wellness, and for students who are on their period or feeling sick, it becomes a real problem that directly disrupts their school day.”
Everyday Student Challenges and Accountability
Ghermay’s rare mixture of experience in government and experience with students has led her to being a finalist for SMOB. Her campaign focuses on fighting for what MCPS students deserve, and a real focus on the quality of MCPS facilities. Ghermay hopes that her campaign as SMOB can create a real difference in MCPS, that even continues after she graduates.
“The Board makes decisions that don’t seem to reflect student voices, and the same problems remain untouched. School lunches don’t really improve. Bathrooms stay closed. Menstrual dispensers still aren’t stocked. Soap and toilet paper go missing. Students don’t know where to find mental health support. These issues feel invisible at the decision-making level,” Ghermay said. “I want to be someone who is genuinely working with students. One of the biggest things I’ve always wanted to do is create a monthly SMOB minute, a short regular update so that students know who I am, can see my face, understand what’s been discussed at the Board, and feel confident that their voices are actually being heard. If I’m not able to fix something during my term, I will make sure the next SMOB knows about it so the work can continue.”
Full interview below: