As Utah’s largest school district, Alpine School District, prepares for a major restructuring, communities in northwest Utah County are entering a new chapter in public education. Approved by voters through Propositions 11 and 14 in 2024, the district will officially dissolve by July 2027, splitting into three newly formed school districts: Lake Mountain, Aspen Peaks, and Timpanogos. The newly created Lake Mountain School District will serve Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Cedar Fort, and Fairfield, with a focus on localized governance and tailored educational priorities. In anticipation of the first school board election this November, Eagle Mountain resident and seasoned education leader Melissa Sauser has announced her candidacy for Seat 6. Her campaign centers on transparency, community engagement, and strategic planning as the district lays the foundation for its future.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Melissa Sauser Announces Candidacy for Lake Mountain School Board Seat 6
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, UT –Experienced education leader, announces her intention to run for Seat 6 of the newly created Lake Mountain School District. As a previous school board member with a proven commitment to transparent communication, Ms. Sauser is poised to guide the new district’s formation.
“Our new district has the chance to set a standard for excellence,” Ms. Sauser said. “With my experience in superintendent hiring, community engagement, and policy development, I’ll ensure we build a district that prioritizes communication, transparency, and student success.” Ms. Sauser emphasizes the importance of clear, open communication to ensure the community understands each step in creating the new district. “Building a new district requires trust and collaboration,” she said. “I’m committed to engaging residents, clarifying the roles of the school board and superintendent, and keeping everyone informed as we shape our educational future.”
Her first priority is hiring an engaged, visionary superintendent through a collaborative process that involves parents, teachers, staff, students, and community members. Other priorities include strategic planning for new schools in this fast-growing area, fostering partnerships with local government for infrastructure improvements, and planning for each student’s unique educational needs.
Ms. Sauser brings unparalleled expertise to the critical task of establishing and running a new school district. She previously served for 11 ½ years on the Farmington School Board in Minnesota, where she served for several years as board president. Other responsibilities included serving on the finance, community engagement, and policy committees and testifying before the Minnesota Legislature to address the special education funding gap. One of her proudest accomplishments was creating positions for students on the board to participate in school board meetings.
Ms. Sauser served on an inter-district board governing Career and Technical Education, Special Education and alternative schools. Between these two positions, she participated in employee contract negotiation and hired four superintendents.
Ms. Sauser also served for five years as a regional Director of the Minnesota School Board Association. As a member of the executive committee, she lobbied in Washington, D.C., for full funding of special education and responsible management of school trust lands.
Currently, Ms. Sauser works as a Transition Specialist at Cedar Valley High School, supporting special education students with their post-high school plans. She was the Eagle Mountain Volunteer Liaison for the Vote Yes on Prop 14 Committee. She has been an active member of the Cedar Valley High School Parent Teacher Student Association this year especially helping with teacher meals and the classroom emergency bucket project. As a board member of the Eagle Mountain Community Theatre, she serves on the Community Outreach and Sponsorship Committee, and represents them on The Eagle Mountain Performance Arts Coalition.
Ms. Sauser is married with two children—a son graduating from Cedar Valley High School and a daughter at Frontier Middle School. She holds a degree in International Politics from Brigham Young University. Her hobbies include hiking, long-distance running with the LakeFront Runners, singing in the church choir, and is a Third Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.
Media Contact:
Melissa Sauser Sauserforboard@me.com
651-245-8148 Facebook Page: Melissa Sauser
About Melissa: Melissa Sauser is a candidate for the Lake Mountain School Board, Seat 6. With over a decade of school board experience in Minnesota, including hiring four superintendents and serving on key committees, she is dedicated to creating a transparent, innovative school district focusing on student success. She brings expertise and a community-focused perspective to her candidacy.
About Seat 6: This seat represents Eagle Mountain including the boundaries of Eagle Valley Elementary, a significant portion of Mountain Trails Elementary and a small portion of Desert Sky and Hidden Hollow Elementaries. See the full seat boundaries here:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4ec4277ac6d546058d33d36b92dca011
Photo provided by Melissa Sauser
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Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.