The Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC) will launch the 2026–2027 Student Member of the Board (SMOB) election cycle by hosting a virtual information night on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
High school juniors in good academic standing who are interested in running for SMOB are strongly encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Google Meet. The meeting link and full SMOB timeline is posted on the CRASC website at www.aacps.org/crasc and through the CRASC Canvas course.
Last year, the CRASC General Assembly ratified amendments to its constitution and bylaws to create a more transparent and inclusive (SMOB) election process. These changes, which take effect this school year, formally incorporate a SMOB Nominating Convention into the selection process and were approved by voting student delegates.
The information night will provide an overview of the nomination, application, interview, campaign and election process. Participation is encouraged for all students interested in representing Anne Arundel County Public Schools students at the Board of Education level.
Anne Arundel County’s Student Member of the Board is the only voting student member on a local board of education in the nation. The SMOB is elected by members of CRASC and appointed by the Governor of Maryland.
The SMOB nomination window opens January 8, 2026, and closes at 4 p.m. on January 16, 2026. Per CRASC bylaws, each high school may nominate one student, and late nominations will not be accepted.
The following are key dates in the process:
January 7, 2026 – Virtual SMOB Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
January 16, 2026 – Principal nominations due by 4:00 p.m.
January 23, 2026 – SMOB application packets due by 4:00 p.m.
February 2, 2026 – SMOB Applicant Interviews
February 18, 2026 – CRASC SMOB Nominating Convention (three finalists announced)
April 16, 2026 – Asynchronous SMOB Elections
Additional details and updates will be shared through the CRASC website, Instagram, and Canvas course.