The Montgomery County Board of Education has elected new leadership to guide the district into the future. During the annual board meeting on Wednesday, members unanimously selected Pamela Portis (District 2) as the new Board President. Portis previously served as the Board’s Vice President, bringing valuable experience and continuity to her new role.
Portis expressed appreciation for the trust placed in her by her fellow board members.
“It’s humbling to have the confidence of my entire board,” Portis said. “They know this district—they’ve been educators, they know the climate and culture of their communities, and they know our children and what we need.”
Board member Arica Watkins-Smith (District 7) was elected Vice President in a 4–2 vote over board member Pamela Cloud. Watkins-Smith previously served as President, offering the new leadership team a strong balance of experience and perspective.
Watkins-Smith emphasized the importance of sustaining the district’s progress.
“You always want someone who can keep the momentum,” Watkins-Smith said. “Ms. Portis has shown that she is very focused, very driven, and very detail-oriented, and that’s something that will help us continue to move in a positive direction.”
The Montgomery County Board of Education (MCBOE) is the seven-member elected body governing Montgomery Public Schools. The board is committed to working together for the benefit of students and parents throughout the district. Along with the superintendent, the board establishes the vision for the district and enacts policies designed to prepare students for college, career and beyond. Each member serves a four-year term and represents a different geographical area of Montgomery County.
