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Show Mel Fletcher Appointed to Board '' , VVt I ' ' - '...' ' L..--:- :. i ; "... ' ij ..: ', '! ft """" t'-va,. ' ' t ! I if ' 1 Mel Fletcher, who will fill Fay Dearden's remaining year on the Park City School Board, said this week he was looking forward to learning more about how the board works andalso having more of a say concerning the manner in which school funds are spent. Mr. Dearden was forced to resign as a result of his moving out of precinct two. During the school board meeting held last week, Mel Fletcher received a unanimous unani-mous vote as a replacement to finish Dearden's term. Born and raised in Park City, Mel said he received a number of phone calls when the position for school board member was available. avail-able. He said serving on the board will be a learning process and added he was anxious to help solve some of the district's school problems. He and his wife, Peggy, have two children attending attend-ing Winters Middle School. "Having kids in school has created an interest. You become more involved in what's going on internally in school affairs," Mel told the Record. "You become interested in how your tax dollars are being spent," he added. The new board member said the main issue to be resolved concerns the bopdary line which Mel Fletcher excludes many north Park City residents from voting in local school matters as a result of being part of the South Summit School District. He quickly added that the problem was complicated and would entail a lot of attention and study. Mel said he was waiting to hear the findings from State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Instruc-tion, Walter D. Talbot, who initiated an examination of the boundary problem at the school board's request. Mel Fletcher said he thought discipline in the schools had improved considerably but that "we still have a long way to go." He said he agreed with the board's decision to allocate money for new construction of buildings, namely Park City High School, and added a new elementary school was needed as well. Teaching has also improved in the past five years, Fletcher pointed out, but added there still remains certain "inequities" in the field. "I believe we've had some good educators in the past," he said. "By getting the necessary good help in all levels of the educational field, you must pay for it. We've got to pay good people, and then expect to get good, responsible people." "I feel as far as athletics is concerned, the interest exists. They're developing much better school spirit," Mel Fletcher said. Since he became the new board member, Mel has been studying past minutes as well as state education pamphlets in order to prepare for the work ahead. "I'm enthusiastic to learn more about how they hire teachers and on what basis some of the solutions are arrived at," he said. Mel Fletcher said he was concerned over the use of school facilities and added the first priority should be with school functions. He pointed out the problem which existed over the use of the high school football field. "School children have top priority," he said. As far as the school board members are concerned, he said. "I think it's a good board. It's a good representation for the town." He said Fay Dearden had served a good term and hoped he would be able to do as well in his upcoming year. "We've never taken a back seat to anyone," Mel Fletcher said, "As far as having the basic groundwork of education to enter college and do well." Of his school board work ahead, Fletcher said "It should be interesting. I hope I can be of assistance." Mel Fletcher graduated from Park City High School in 1937. His mother, Blanche, was also born and raised in Park City. He has one brother and three sisters. "I have the distinction of being in every school in Park City, with the exception of Marsac (Elementary (Elemen-tary School) and the new high school," smiled Mel Fletchej, Mel Fletcher recently became director of the ski patrol at the new Parley's Summit Ski Resort after working at Park City Resort in the same capacity for 13 years. He has also been assistant pro at the golf course for 13 years. Mel has spent many years in youth activities in Park City. He is Activities Chairman for the local chapter of the Elk's Club and is involved in "Hoop Shoot" and the Most Valuable Student Contest, sponsored by the Elk's. An Adjutant of the American Legion, Mel is also a Past Commander of Post 15 and was instrumental is sending local boys to Boys State. He is also a trustee of the fire department and has been a member for 25 years in Park City. In 1955, Mel, along with Otto Carpenter, developed Park City's first ski school program at Snow Park, located in Deer Valley. |