Iron County School District board chooses Michelle Tullis from field of 7 to fill impending vacancy

Written by Jeff Richards
May 15, 2024
Iron County School District Board of Education members prepare for the start of their regular meeting, Cedar City, Utah, May 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — Michelle Tullis has been appointed to serve on the Iron County School District Board of Education.

L-R: Michelle Tullis and Lauren Lewis shortly after Tullis was appointed to fill the remainder of Lewis’ term on the Iron County School District Board of Education, Cedar City, Utah, May 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

At its regular meeting on Tuesday, the board members voted to appoint Tullis as outgoing board member Lauren Lewis’ replacement. 

As previously reported, Lewis, who was elected to represent the newly created District 6 in 2022, announced in April that she was moving out of the area and would be unable to serve the remainder of her four-year term.

A total of seven candidates applied for the position, all of whom were interviewed publicly by the board during Tuesday’s meeting. 

The candidates, in order, were as follows: Kristen Clark, Amy Gibson, Adam Hahn, Christopher Monson, Brant Parker, Nathan Slaughter and Tullis. 

Each applicant was asked the same four questions and given up to two minutes for each response. The questions essentially asked the candidates to introduce themselves, tell why they were interested in serving on the board, explain the role of a school board member and describe their own vision regarding the future of education in the community.

After the interviews were completed, the board went into a closed session for approximately 20 minutes, after which they reconvened and voted 6-1 to appoint Tullis.

Casting the dissenting vote was Jeff Corry, who moments earlier had seconded Dave’s Staheli’s motion to appoint Clark to the board; that motion failed 2-5.

“It is awesome that people are this invested in our community, that we have seven great people that are willing to put the time and the effort forward to serve (on) the school board,” board president Ben Johnson said right after the final interview concluded. “So first off, thank you so much for being willing to do that.”

Cedar High School teacher Joy Coates, who is retiring after 26 years, is congratulated by school board members during the Iron County School District Board of Education meeting, Cedar City, Utah, May 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Later, after the final vote was taken, board member Stephanie Hill commented, “There was pretty much a consensus that any one of the candidates would have done an exceptional job.”

Tullis, who works as a commercial lender with State Bank of Southern Utah, said during her self-introduction that she has lived in Cedar City for 38 years. She and her husband TJ have two adult children. Tullis served on various community boards, including those of Cedar Area Chamber of Commerce and Canyon Creek Services. She is also the current chair of the Iron County Planning Commission.

“I am honored and grateful for the trust and confidence that the board has placed in appointing me,” Tullis told Cedar City News afterward. “It is truly humbling to have their support and I am excited to take on this responsibility.”

Tullis will officially begin her duties on June 1, as Lewis’s resignation is effective May 31.

Earlier, during her interview, Tullis told the board members why she decided to apply.

“With my experience in the financial industry, with financial analysis, budgeting and relationship building, and as a mom, I seek to serve on school board as the voice of reason on behalf of taxpayers and families,” Tullis said, adding that she hopes to “ensure that our students and their well being and quality education comes first and foremost in every decision made.”

Speaking of the district’s general obligation bond proposal that narrowly failed in last November’s general election, Tullis said, “We still have those same needs and I would like to be a part of finding the solutions to accomplish those needs.

L-R: Michelle Tullis and Iron County School District Board of Education President Ben Johnson share a laugh after Tullis was appointed to fill the remainder of outgoing board member Lauren Lewis’s term on the board, Cedar City, Utah, May 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

 “A school board member also sets an example of the culture and values of the school district and holds themselves to a higher standard because of the trust placed in them to serve.”

Toward the beginning of the meeting, during the public comment period, outgoing board member Lewis took a few minutes to express her appreciation to her fellow board members and the district’s educators and staff members.

“Thank you for letting me serve alongside you all,” Lewis said. “And as a mom, thank you for keeping my daughter safe and for helping her have a good education.”

In other school board action on Tuesday:

  • The board voted 6-1 to adjust the 2024-25 school calendar in order to keep spring break so that it runs one full week before Easter, as it has been in recent years. The calendar initially approved in October had the break starting the Thursday before Easter and lasting through the Tuesday after. After receiving feedback from parents and teachers, the board changed the dates so that next year’s spring break will run from April 14-18, 2025. 
  • A number of longtime educators who are retiring this year were recognized for their many years of service.
  • Also, immediately prior to the regular meeting, board members and district officials met with Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah leaders for an hour and discussed possible ways that the school district and the tribe can collaborate more effectively, including better integration of Native American culture into the schools. They also talked about ways to help Native American students succeed, including improving graduation rates. 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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