STATEMENT OF BOARD PRESIDENT NANCY NAVARRO ON THE PASSING OF COUNCILMEMBER MARILYN PRAISNER

On behalf of the children and staff of Montgomery County Public Schools and the Board of Education, we wish to express deep condolences to the family of Councilmember Marilyn Praisner on her passing this morning.

For two and a half decades Mrs. Praisner gave tirelessly of herself and her prodigious intellect in the service of Montgomery County, starting as a Board of Education member in 1982 and a councilmember beginning in 1990. The children of Montgomery County just lost a compassionate and courageous advocate for their welfare and education.

As we mourn the passing of a legend and a fearless champion for Montgomery County, we are comforted in the knowledge that her life’s work for all of us will be immortalized in the stellar reputation for excellence in education and services that our county enjoys today. We will all miss Mrs. Praisner.

Board of Education: Mrs. Nancy Navarro, president. Ms. Shirley Brandman, vice president. Members: Mr. Steve Abrams, Mr. Christopher Barclay, Ms. Sharon Cox, Dr. Judy Docca, Mrs. Patricia B. O’Neill, and Mr. Ben Moskowitz, student member. Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 301-279-3617.

The Montgomery County Board of Education is the official educational policymaking body in the county. The Board is responsible for the direction and operation of the public school system. The Board consists of seven county residents elected by voters for a four-year term and a student elected by secondary school students for a one-year term. Board members are elected county-wide but run at-large or from the Board district in which they reside.