For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 29, 2016
Montgomery County Council to Host
Town Hall Meeting for Students
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, in Rockville
High school, middle school and local college students
can express views and ask questions of Councilmembers
on issues such as starting the school year after Labor Day
ROCKVILLE, Md., September 29, 2016—The Montgomery County Council, which for the past several years has held Town Hall Meetings throughout the County in its efforts to find out what issues most concern residents, will learn what is on the minds of younger residents when it hosts its sixth annual Town Hall Meeting for Students on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Council Office Building in Rockville. The meeting, in the Council’s Third Floor Hearing Room, will start at 7:30 p.m.
A pre-meeting reception will begin at 7 p.m. in the building’s second-floor cafeteria. At the reception, students will have a chance to meet with Councilmembers and talk with them in an informal setting.
The Council Office Building is located at 100 Maryland Ave. in downtown Rockville. It is about a three-block walk from the Rockville Metrorail station, which also is a main stopping point for many RideOn bus lines. For students traveling to the meeting by car, free parking will be available by entering the Council parking garage from the Fleet Street entrance.
High school and middle school students from public and private schools from around the County and students from local colleges will be able to express their views on any aspect of the Montgomery County Public Schools system or on outside programs that impact students. They also can ask questions of the Councilmembers. Among the major issues impacting schools and students is capacity issues at certain schools. All schools and students statewide will be affected by Governor Larry Hogan’s recent executive order that would have school systems start their school years after Labor Day and getting in the full 180 days mandated by state law by June 15.
Students who want more information about the meeting can call 240-777-7931 or 240-777-7926. The meeting will be broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM—cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and rebroadcast at various times in the weeks following the meeting. Susan Kenedy, a producer for the County station, will be the moderator.
The Council is composed of President Nancy Floreen, Vice President Roger Berliner and Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Tom Hucker, Sidney Katz, George Leventhal, Nancy Navarro, Craig Rice and Hans Riemer.
“The County Council funds the school system and many other programs that have a direct impact on our County's youth, and this meeting is an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from them,” said Council President Floreen. “For this fiscal year, the Council added $89 million to the school system budget above the minimum that was required as part of our commitment to have one of the nation’s top school systems. At this meeting, we want to hear the unique perspectives of our young residents."
Council Vice President Berliner said the opinions of students help put all school programs into a perspective that needs to be heard.
“So many major decisions concerning education—and students—are made by adults talking with other adults,” said Council Vice President Berliner. “But the students often have so much to offer that adults do not necessarily see. We are looking forward to learning about how they see the issues we are discussing and to hearing from them about new things they would like to see us consider.”
As part of the evening, Councilmember Rice, who chairs the Council’s Education Committee, will recognize the finalists, and announce the winner, of his “Councilmember for a Day” challenge during the reception that begins at 7 p.m. Councilmember Rice developed the challenge as a way for young people to become more involved in public policy issues and to learn about local government.
Last spring, students were asked to submit essays on the contest theme. The winner selected will get an opportunity to shadow Councilmember Rice for a day at the County Council to experience what it is like to be a local elected official. The finalists include: