Merri B. Shumway

Incumbent School Board Member
Merri Shumway, a native of Blanding is running for re-election. She was elected to a four-year term in 2016. Due to a federal judge’s redistricting order and the mandated special election, Merri is running to complete her four-year term.
Merri’s has served as a past PTA president, San Juan School Foundation member, community council member, Utah School Board’s Association board member and a statewide K-12 education legislative committee member.
She is currently a classroom volunteer, the vice president of the San Juan Board of Education and the chairperson of the Calvin Black Memorial Scholarship Committee, a board that awards scholarships to San Juan County students.
Volunteering in the classroom is Merri’s favorite part of her service. She has been a classroom volunteer for 30 years and said, “I love helping students. It gives me insight into the experiences of our students and teachers. We have amazing teachers and they don’t get thanked enough.”
School Board members are responsible for setting the property tax rate. Merri is conservative and believes in balance. She is committed to providing a quality education while keeping the tax rate as low as feasible.
“It is necessary to have proper funding to attract and retain quality teaches,” she explains. “San Juan School District spends approximately $200,000 a day. My goal is to help students understand and take advantage of this investment and realize the value it can be in their lives.”
Merri’s grandparents, parents, Merri and her husband and their five children all attended local schools and graduated from San Juan High. She now has grandchildren entering Blanding Elementary. She understands the history and the challenges unique to the school district and is committed to improve educational opportunities for all students.
Merri appreciates the input she receives regularly from parents and teachers. She values the suggestions and the criticism, stating, “It would be difficult to know where to improve without this type of communication.”