05/19/2025
The Montgomery County Board of Education will formally dedicate its Board room at 15 W. Gude Drive in honor of the late Patricia O’Neill, celebrating her remarkable legacy of service to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the broader community.
The dedication event will take place at 5:00 p.m. on July 23, and will include remarks from current Board of Education members, as well as family, friends, and colleagues who worked alongside Mrs. O’Neill during her more than two decades of public service.
In February, the Board officially named the space the Patricia O’Neill Board of Education Room, in recognition of Mrs. O’Neill’s 23 years of distinguished service—the longest tenure of any Board member in MCPS history. Throughout her time on the Board, she served as president five times and vice president six times, championing policies that expanded access and opportunity for all students.
“Patricia O’Neill was a fierce advocate for students and a tireless leader whose passion for education transformed our school system,” said Board President Julie Yang. “Naming this room in her honor ensures that her commitment to equity, learning, and community will live on.”
Mrs. O’Neill also played key roles beyond the Board, serving as vice-chair of the MCPS Educational Foundation and on numerous state and national education committees. Her leadership helped shape education policy in Maryland and across the region.
The Patricia O’Neill Board of Education Room will continue to be a place where meaningful decisions about the future of MCPS are made—a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to making every student's future brighter.
The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony and join in honoring a legacy defined by leadership, service, and a deep love for Montgomery County’s students.
