The Montgomery County Board of Education is proud to announce the official naming of the Board room at 15 W. Gude Drive as the Patricia O’Neill Board of Education Room. This space serves as a tribute to the legacy of Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, whose dedicated service to public education and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has left an indelible mark on the community.

The Patricia O’Neill Board of Education Room will continue to be a place for the Board of Education and the Montgomery County community to engage in the important work of providing each and every student in MCPS with the education they need to thrive in their future.

Mrs. Patricia O’Neill devoted her life to public education, serving on the Montgomery County Board of Education for 23 years, the longest tenure of any Board member in the history of MCPS. During her service, she demonstrated extraordinary leadership, holding the role of Board president five times and vice president six times. Mrs. O’Neill was also instrumental in leading the Board’s Policy Management Committee for many years, ensuring that the system’s core values were deeply embedded in its policies. Her efforts were critical in driving transformative policy decisions, particularly those aimed at increasing access and opportunity for all students.

Beyond her work with the Board, Mrs. O’Neill served as vice-chair of the MCPS Educational Foundation and as a member of its grant committee. She also contributed to numerous state-level advisory committees, including the Maryland Blue Ribbon Panel on Teen Pregnancy, the Maryland Comparable Task Force, and the Task Force for School Safety. Her leadership extended to national organizations as well, having represented Montgomery County’s students and school system in roles such as past president of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and past co-chair of the Washington Area Boards of Education.

Mrs. O’Neill’s service and commitment to the community were widely recognized, including being named one of The 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian Magazine. She was known for her belief in the importance of Board governance and the vital role it plays in the success of MCPS. Mrs. O’Neill’s work and influence embodied the values of equity, respect, relationships, learning, and excellence—values that continue to guide the work of the Board today.

Her legacy of service with grace, leadership with purpose, and unwavering commitment to the students and families of Montgomery County will continue to inspire all who enter the Patricia O’Neill Board of Education Room.

The Board will host a public event to celebrate Mrs. O’Neill and formally dedicate the room in her honor later this spring.

-END-