Hello! I'm Melanie Hill.
I have always been extremely invested in and a huge supporter of public education. I attended Grandview Elementary, Young Junior High School and am a proud graduate of Dothan High School, Class of 1982! My parents and three siblings are products of Dothan City Schools and my husband, Walter, graduated from public school in Mississippi.
I am ready to make a difference in education in Alabama! I sincerely appreciate your vote on July 17, 2018 for District 2 Alabama Board of Education.
Here's what I believe...
• Our public education system can improve.
• Businesses and schools should be tied together to help attract
businesses and industry to Alabama to provide the
workforce needed for those companies.
• Alabama should have strong standards that children must
meet in order to be successful in our school systems.
• Teachers should feel support from the highest level.
• Decisions should be made at the local level for school systems as much as possible simply because school boards, superintendents and system employees know their communities and their students better than people sitting in Montgomery.
I grew up in Dothan and graduated from Dothan High School in 1982. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University and a Master's Degree in counseling/Pyschology from Troy University.
I have been a consultant for more than 21 years in the healthcare/hospice industry. I also offer professional development services through Whittaker Marketing in Dothan, AL.
Community-wise, I served on the Dothan City School Board from 2013 to 2015 and am a board member for Caitlin's Closet as well as a volunteer for the Wiregrass United Way. I am also a proud graduate of Leadership Dothan.
My husband and I have been married for 20 years. Walter is the CEO of Wiregrass United Way. We love traveling together and spending time with family. We stay pretty busy with our combined 24 nieces and nephews! We are also very involved in First Baptist Church of Dothan.
We absolutely love living in the Wiregrass. Between the two of us, it is safe to say "community is our calling" as we are both passionate about supporting each other's community endeavors.
IDEAS
to
ACTION
ABOUT ME
CONTRIBUTE
Thank you for your interest in our campaign! With your generous support, the Melanie Hill for District 2 Board of Education campaign will have the financial resources necessary to communicate her positive message of "Ideas to Action."
Paid political advertisement by
Melanie Hill for State Board of Education,
Treasurer Kelli Pylant 109 Princeton Drive, Dothan, AL 36301
GET INVOLVED
Whether it's through donating, passing out information or making a few phone calls on my behalf, I would sincerely appreciate any help you would be willing to offer.
To get involved with my campaign or to simply hear about upcoming events, please sign up for email updates.
ISSUES
What's important to me...
School Safety
School safety has been an issue in our schools for a while now, but recently it became front and center once again. No parent feels comfortable if their child isn’t safe and no student can learn if they don’t feel safe. I am convinced there is no one size fits all to solve the issue of school safety. I believe that it will take a combined effort to make schools safer. It is about improving school security, strengthening mental health care, providing School Resource Officers and so much more. Above all, I think it is an issue that should be decided at the local level. The state should provide ideas, resources and funding, but each school system should decide the right safety measures for their system. There is so much we can do when we work together.
I have been in leadership roles professionally, in my church and in my community for over 25 years. I have provided countless hours of professional and leadership development for people all across the country. One of the leadership principles that I have practiced and taught others is the value of accessibility. People need to know that they can reach you…that they can have a conversation with you…and mostly that you will listen and really hear their concerns. I have been listening for a long time to teachers, parents, principals, superintendents and I will continue to not only listen, but actively engage people. My cell phone number is 334.596.9145. Feel free to call me any time.
Accessibility
Listening to Teachers
When I kicked off my campaign one of the most important goals I set was to intentionally reach out to meet as many educators as I possibly could. I have accomplished this goal in many ways. I attended teacher institutes which are designed to kick off their new school year. I met face to face with every superintendent in their office from the 26 schools systems in District 2. I enjoyed multiple school tours and career tech center tours. I attended many school events within different communities. I traveled over 8,000 miles in the last 10 months to accomplish this goal and I have enjoyed every single conversation. I continue to believe that many of the solutions we need lie in the minds and hearts of teachers. I have heard many teachers say “nobody ever asks us.” Well, I am asking and I am listening.
Common Core
I believe it is past time to stop Common Core. We must replace it with stronger standards and a better system that will help leverage our students to be on a competitive level with the United States and globally.
ENDORSEMENTS
ENDORSEMENTS
As a superintendent I think one of the key traits a local or state school board member needs to possess is accessibility. I believe that Melanie Hill will be accessible to all of her constituents. I believe that she will not only be accessible, but will reach out to teachers, administrators and parents when making decisions for our children. I support Melanie Hill for Alabama State School Board of Education, District 2.”
Becky Birdsong
Superintendent, Geneva County Schools
I have known Melanie Hill for many years and she has always been an advocate for schools and Alabama's children. Through her time on the Dothan City School Board and her time as the director of community schools in Dothan, she has worked tirelessly for our children. Melanie is dedicated to improving the lives of our students and can be seen in the schools and community pushing for better opportunities for our children. I am proud to support her in her journey for state school board of Alabama! We need her in Montgomery making decisions for District 2.
Holly Mitchell
Instructional Specialist, Eufaula City Schools
I fully endorse Melanie Hill for the Alabama State Board Of Education because of her sincere desire to see all children successful. She has high integrity and will make choices based on what's most ethically right for our next generation. You can also count on her to be collaborative as she makes very important tough decisions for District 2 and the state of Alabama.
Darius McKay
Principal, Girard Middle School
VOTING INFO
Alabama's State Board of Education District 2 includes 13 counties and 26 school systems.
A runoff is set for July 17, 2018.