Interviews to be Held on June 26, 2009

The Montgomery County Board of Education has selected six candidates to be interviewed from among the 19 individuals who applied to become the District 5 representative following the resignation of Ms. Nancy Navarro. Those six candidates are:

Mihyar Alnifaidy—former student member of the Montgomery County Board of Education with degrees in business and public administration

Crystal DeVance-Wilson—parent advocate and volunteer with degrees in nursing and business administration

Michael Durso—recently retired principal of Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland

Donald Hauprich—long-time MCPS parent advocate with a degree in communications

Juan Holcomb—human resources practitioner who has served as a motivational speaker in schools throughout the Washington metropolitan area

Pamela Smith—MCPS parent volunteer and an attorney with the Federal Communications Commission

The candidates will be interviewed by the members of the Board of Education on June 26, 2009, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room, Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville. The interviews are open to the public.

The interviews are a continuation of the process by Board members to assess the qualifications of the candidates for appointment. Each interview will involve a structured question-and-answer session, in which the candidates will know the questions in advance. The questions focus on the candidates’ knowledge of the role of a Board member, professional and civic experiences, priorities, assessment of the needs of District 5, and availability for extensive meetings and other public commitments.

Board members selected the six finalists following a review of information submitted by each prospective applicant. The Board will vote on the appointment at a public meeting convening at 1:30 p.m. on June 26, 2009. The newly appointed Board member will be sworn in on July 1, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.