WIREGRASS RESIDENT RUNNING FOR ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Matt Boster

Viewed: 3866

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Aug 11 2017 10:04 AM

DOTHAN: Melanie Hill has always been very invested in public education. Growing up in Dothan, she wandered the hallways of Grandview Elementary and Young Junior High before graduating from Dothan High School in 1982. Her passion for the children in Alabama’s public school system is what is motivating her to join the race for the District 2 seat on the State Board of Education. Her journey officially begins Tuesday, August 15 when she formally announces her candidacy at Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center at 4 pm.

Hill’s “Ideas to Action” campaign is based on her following beliefs:

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  Public education can improve, but only with input from classroom teachers and administrators.

  
  


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  Businesses and schools should work together to 
provide jobs for graduates and graduates for jobs. 


  
  


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  Strong standards can create strong students. 


  
  


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  Teachers should feel support from the highest level. 


  
  


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  Decisions should be made at the local level when possible. 


  
  

  Hill’s goals are rooted in the enthusiasm she feels for students and her understanding of the impact of public education. “I am running because I am passionate about the children of Alabama receiving the best possible education. It’s time for Alabama to take steps to improve our national ranking and to give our children what they deserve. Public education is one of the first factors the business sector reviews when deciding to invest in our state. I hope the residents of District 2 will give me the opportunity to make a difference.”

  
  

Hill has gained the endorsement of several area educators including Lee Jacobs, Director of Federal Programs for Dothan City Schools. “She is someone who has an incredible work ethic. She does everything with integrity, lives her life by faith and truly has a deep passion for education. My views of her are based on my experiences in working with her side by side for a couple of years. She has the gumption to fight and push for what’s right and she has the love and passion to do what’s best. ”

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Hill’s credentials and involvement in the Wiregrass speak for themselves. Most recently, she served as the Bright Key® Program Director for the Wiregrass Foundation. In this role she worked to develop and implement a community schools concept within the Dothan City School System. Bright Key®, currently operating in four schools, is a partnership between The Wiregrass Foundation and Dothan City Schools, which aims to enhance resources for children on site at the school level.

She served on the Dothan City School Board from 2013 to 2015. Hill is involved with Wiregrass United Way, where her husband, Walter Hill, serves as the president. She is a proud graduate of Leadership Dothan and a board member for Caitlin’s Closet, a nationwide charity that provides formal dresses for young women without financial resources.

Alabama's State Board of Education District 2 includes 13 counties and 26 school systems. Voting takes place June 5, 2018.

ABOUT Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill is a lifelong resident of Dothan. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University and a Master's Degree in Counseling/Psychology from Troy University. Hill recently concluded her role as Bright Key® Program Director to pursue the State Board of Education District 2 seat. In addition, she has been a consultant for more than 21 years in the healthcare/hospice industry. She offers professional development services through Whittaker Marketing in Dothan, AL. For more information, visit hillforeducation.com or facebook.com/melaniehillforstateboardofeducation.

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