The Montgomery County Board of Education formally installed its 47th Student Member of the Board (SMOB), Praneel Survarna, on July 1.

“I am honored to have this position and cannot wait for the upcoming year,” said Mr Suvarna, a Clarksburg High School senior. 

Mr. Suvarna’s inspiration to be on the Board of Education is his goal of making a meaningful impact on the county and amplifying every student's voice. His enthusiasm for policy work complements his commitment to advocacy and representation.

This year, Mr. Suvarna is prioritizing school safety and addressing the drug crisis, aiming to ensure equitable access to resources for all students, including Narcan training—a critical tool for opioid-overdose intervention. Additionally, he is an advocate for comprehensive mental health resources and support systems in every school, from elementary to high school. 

"If students are not safe in school, they will not be able to learn in school," Mr. Suvarna explains. He plans to collaborate with schools that already have proficient mental health programs to replicate these effective strategies countywide.

Transparent communication with his fellow students will be a feature of Mr. Suvarna’s term. “I want students to know that advocacy is for everyone,” he explains, “The best way to create change is to speak up.”

Mr. Suvarna plans to have an active website, social media, and a large SMOB Advisory Council to involve students in the decision making process. He intends to maintain open lines of communication with every school, ensuring students are aware of opportunities to participate and share their voices.

The SMOBis a voting member of the Board of Education. Montgomery County is one of only two counties in Maryland to give this position full voting rights. The SMOB can vote on matters related to collective bargaining, capital and operating budgets, school closings, school reopenings, and school boundaries. However, the SMOB cannot vote on negative personnel actions.

Being a SMOB requires time and responsibilities outside the school day. While it is an unpaid position, there is compensation. The SMOB receives a $25,000 scholarship, student service learning hours, and one honors-level social studies credit.

In addition to public service, Mr. Suvarna is a varsity wrestler and enjoys theater and choir.