Utah Education is My Priority

Educational Excellence: A Commitment to Prioritize the Student Always

Education has been my passion since I was young. Playing school with my younger siblings and teaching them to read was a favorite childhood pastime.

I graduated with a composite degree in English and Humanities, with a secondary teaching certificate. I taught English and Stage Tech in Boise, Idaho, and musical theater at Centerville Junior High.

I have served on Community Councils, Curriculum Councils, worked in classrooms with teachers, with legislators and USBE members, I have served as the head of the children’s organization and twice as the head of the youth organization in my church, and as a Classroom Manager for 12 years.

I am a strong believer in the Education Partnership: students, parents and teachers collaborating together to achieve higher standards and improve academic outcomes.

I believe we need more compassion for each other, more collaboration to create better outcomes, and more community involvement that will enhance education opportunities for our students.

Compassion • Collaboration • Community

My husband and I have four incredible kiddos who have all been through public, charter, and homeschool. I am very grateful for the diverse education opportunities we have available to us.

Endorsements

“Melanie is truly someone who treats everyone like family. We fully support and trust her to make decisions for our children and families, with complete confidence that her decisions will reflect our own choices. She is resilient, intelligent, and had-working, and will make informed decisions-only after putting in the time and effort to understand fully the situation and issues at hand. She won’t be swayed or prodded to do anything contrary to that which she would do for her own children. She will work for our children and help maintain and restore that which is just and right.”

— Ben and Mindy Murdock

“I have known Melanie for many years, and have seen her be involved with many educational aspects of our community such as Community Councils, PTA and working with members of the USBE. I have been impressed with her knowledge and understanding of education rules and policies in our state, and have turned to her many times with questions from my children’s experiences at school. I am grateful for her honesty and her capacity to earn respect from individuals on all sides of any issue.

I wholeheartedly endorse her!”

— Suzette Jackson, North Salt Lake City Council Member

I wholeheartedly support Melanie Mortensen for Davis School Board. Her experience with legislators and members of the State Board of Education gives her a unique perspective on stature and policy. She has a deep understanding of Utah code and her common sense approach encourages understanding and collaboration. She will ensure that families, teachers and students are well represented.

— Karianne Lisonbee, Representative House District 14, Majority Whip Leader

“Many challenges face Davis School District in the next few years. The challenges ahead will require thoughtful, careful consideration and someone who will listen to the public and see through the partisan politics that have crept into our schools.  Melanie has spent years as an educator, parent and community member getting to know the challenges our kids face to attaining a world class education. We believe that Melanie is the only candidate running who has the knowledge, ability, and desire to put ambition and politics aside and place our kids front and center where they belong. We need someone like Melanie, and our children need somebody like Melanie, which is why we will proudly be giving her our vote for Davis County School Board.” 

— Josh and Steffanie Holdstock

We wholeheartedly endorse Melanie Mortensen for the Davis County School Board. We have full confidence in her ability as a leader, as a decision maker, and we know that she will always advocate for what's best for our students!

— Jeff and Shannon Simmons

Dave and Stefie Munk, High School Counselor and Special Education Teacher

Matt and Lynsi Neve

David and Holly Jordan

Ben and Mindy Murdock

Brian and Linda Horrocks, North Salt Lake City Mayor

Jeff and Kiersten Creer

Dalane England

Ken Romney, West Bountiful Mayor

Kevin and Heather Anderson

Brett and Lisa Bradshaw

Representative Karianne Lisonbee, Majority House Whip Leader, House District 14

Representative Trevor Lee, House District 1

Representative Mike Shultz, Speaker of the House, House District 12

Representative Kera Birkeland, House District 4

Representative Katy Hall, House District 11

Representative Phil Lyman, District 69

Representative Paul Cutler, House District 18

Kevin and Patrice Laurence

Robert and Diane Prince

Angie McMillan

John and Wendy Hyde

George and Pam Makris

Paul and Anna Ayala

Mindy Taylor

Ryan and Jen Morton

Josh and Steffanie Holdstock

Chad and Susie Gardner

Scott and Sherry Russon

Gene and Robyn Chidester

Loren and Carrie Pankratz, Pastor at Bridge Community Church

Todd and Janet Heiner

Ron and Leslie Burt

Don Guymon

Judy Rankin

KC and Tara Bramwell

Deacon and Livia Goldman, Special Education Teacher

Mark and Michelle Brooks, Elementary Secretary

John and Taressa Earl

Mike and Pam DeLange

Jake and Trish McSwain

John Crofts, Davis Utah Weekly

Nathan and Sarah Hunter

Peter and Camille Mauerhan

Geoff and Coty Erickson, Elementary Teacher

Lance and Jill Poulsen

Jeff and Shannon Simmons

Josh and Steffanie Holdstock

Craig and Juliana Burrows

Clarke and Maren Hilbig, Physician and Charter School Founder

Suzette Jackson, North Salt Lake City Council Member

Blaine and Cathy Phillips

Dr. Jen Brown, Dentist

Rick and Jamie Brey

Carl and Mary Jane Biehn

Damon and Anna Kirchmeier

Joe and Jamie Atkin

Frederic and Hade Bosteels

Ryan and Nicole Anderson

Nelson and Susan Holzer

Jeff and Jenny Noall

Dave and Amberlyn Gill

Iliana Clift

Jeremy and Rachael Brisko

Republican Women Lead

Scott and Alana Rogers

Rick and Debi Winder

Carol Chomjak

Nate and Shelby Webster

Job and Leslie Cyril

Shawna Richards

Hai Fitzgerald, owner Thyme and Seasons

Paul and Michelle Rapp

Lane and LaVona Lewis

Dennis and Jane Crandall

Kimball and Rita Jacobs

Becca Lund

Merrill and Karen Bunker

Wayne and Tammy Clayton

Greg and Wendy Fenn

Bob and Brenda Brisko

Erik and Kimberly Shupe

Marla Keller

Nathan and Sarah Hunter

John and Ginnie Andrews

Brad and Alison Madsen

Jeff and Jennifer Smith

Brandon and Christie Pearson

Nancy Nelson

Matt and Cami Erickson

Jeff and Cindy Anderson

Kathy Perry

Amy Cowley

David and Kristine Scott

Roger and Pam Lee

Don and Bobbi Trimming

Jason and McCall Erickson

James and Rebecca Stout

Jared and Becca Thompson

Paul Welch

Martha Felt

Eric and Jamey Nofsinger

Larry and Carol Fisher

Kelly D Sansom

Steve and Tara Call

Paul and Debby Clements

Bekah Johnson

Chris Lassig

Jared and Brandi Wendel

Gary Widders

Valerie Hill

Gordon and Kim Grotepas

Rick Smith

David Axenty

Shauna Midgley

Julie Hattabough

Mike and Renee Hurst

Greg Frazier

Ryan and Marly Ferrin

Wayne Smith

Ashley Smith

Curtis and Michelle Trader

Sara Subardjo

Debbie Miller

Mike Brown

Virva Sandorf

Allie Cordon

Scott and Alli Samuelson

Becky Hale

Adam and Danielle Taintor

Joe and Jamie Atkin

Paul and Kimberly Hansen

Rich and Susan Humphreys

Summer Willis

Garhett and Carrie Colton

Troy Sessions

“I have seen Melanie be involved with many aspects of our community, from the South Davis Recreation District to City Council meetings. I have been very impressed with her knowledge on current issues, and how the decisions of our elected officials affect our constituents. She has a great capacity and understanding, and is someone I trust to make decisions on behalf of our children and their education. I fully endorse her candidacy with great enthusiasm and know she is the best choice to represent us on the Davis School Board.”

— Mayor Brian Horrocks, North Salt Lake

“We are pleased to endorse Melanie Mortensen wholeheartedly for the role of Davis School District Board Member. Melanie has spent decades championing the cause of children's education right here in Davis County.  She has shown that her goals include refocusing our district on data-supported instructional practices that build knowledgeable students and principled thinkers. We are confident she will focus on evidenced-based instruction, help parents feel included in their child's education and be able to intermesh all stakeholders together peacefully.  We have seen firsthand that Melanie is a vivacious leader that will build bridges and unite parents, teachers and administration for the benefit of all children.”

— Clarke and Maren Hilbig
Physician and Charter School Founder

“Melanie Mortensen is an amazing and talented mother who has always been a passionate advocate for families in the education of their children. We have known Melanie for 18 years as our kids have grown up together, and we can not think of anyone who would represent the families of Davis county with more integrity and determination than Melanie Mortensen as a member of Davis School Board.”

— Craig and Juliana Burrows

“We have seen Melanie work in our schools for more than a decade. She has a tenacious work ethic and is never afraid to stand up for what she believes is right.”

— Lance and Jill Poulsen

“We have been impressed with Melanie’s involvement in community issues and the way she generously gives of her time to serve and help others. She is honest, approachable, hard-working and is not afraid to fight for what is right and take a stand.”

— Nathan and Sarah Hunter

“We strongly recommend Melanie Mortensen to the position of Davis District School Board.  She has always been an advocate for our educational system.  As a teacher, an educator, and a mother, Melanie understands first-hand the issues that face our local school systems today.  She has served on several community councils, worked with legislators, and headed up several youth organizations. She is an excellent communicator and listener and is passionate about education.  She will bring a voice of reason to the decisive agendas that have infiltrated our schools.  She is not afraid to stand up to CRT, Transformative SEL, or CSE. We need an advocate like Melanie standing for pure education that is void of personal and political agendas!  In addition we know Melanie will stand for better educational curriculums, better teaching methods, and better student comprehension.  As Benjamin Franklin said, "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest!” We know Melanie will work towards a future where the excellence of our education is unparalleled.

— Peter and Camille Mauerhan

Educating children for over fifteen years in Davis School District has been one of the greatest joys and also one of the most difficult pains of my life. I feel that we as a school community are all in for what is best for kids, but our district feels removed from the trench. I’m tired of hearing “that is how we have always done things,” or “we don’t hear those concerns from other schools.” It is not good enough anymore for a teacher that wants what is best for every child in her room, and every teacher on my team.

Melanie Mortensen is absolutely the person I want on my team—she is willing to look for solutions outside the box, dig in the trenches with teachers for new resolutions, and imagine new approaches. Melanie is teachable, curious, steadfast in pursuit of goals, and dedicated to our children. These are all qualities that I want on my team.

— Coty Erickson, Elementary Teacher

Please support Melanie Mortensen for Davis County School Board. Melanie is organized and very capable. She understands that parents need to be listened to. She would be an excellent member of the school board.

— Jen Brown