As its first order of business for the 2025 year, the Canyons Board of Education welcomed two new members to its ranks and the return of a third. 

Taking their Oaths of Office on Jan. 7 were: Jackson Lewis, the new representative for District No. 1 and the youngest elected official in Utah; Katie Dahle, a businesswoman and community advocate who will represent District No. 3; and Holly Neibaur who won re-election to the District’s seven-member governing body and will serve District No. 7 for another four-year term.

“We offer a heartfelt welcome to Ms. Neibaur, Ms. Dahle, and Mr. Lewis. We look forward to serving alongside you in this noble endeavor of ensuring that every child in our community is college- and career-ready when they graduate from high school,” said Board President Amber Shill to the newly sworn-in members.

The oaths, administered by Draper City Mayor Troy Walker, were witnessed by friends and family members. Following a brief reception, the Board convened for a Business meeting to, among other things, elect Board leadership. Amber Shill will continue as President and Andrew Edtl and Amanda Oaks will, again, serve as Co-Vice Presidents. 

Following their Oaths, each newly-elected Board member shared remarks, outlining some of their goals while in office. Lewis, a Hillcrest High alumnus and the first Canyons District graduate to serve on the Board, said he is a firm believer in the role public schools play in preparing students to participate in a democratic life.

“I’m so incredibly grateful, especially to the people of Midvale and Northern Sandy who elected me to this job,” Lewis said. “I am eternally grateful.”

Lewis replaces Kristine Millerberg who took over the District 1 seat after the passing of her husband, Mont L. Millerberg, a member of the inaugural Canyons Board of Education. Lewis will represent Midvale and parts of Sandy. The 19 year old has aspired to public service for as long as he can remember, and is currently enrolled at Salt Lake Community College studying Political Science. He looks forward to bringing to the Board his perspective as a recent student.

Katie Dahle brings with her a plethora of experience as an educator, parent, business owner, and community advocate. She has already dedicated more than a decade to Canyons’ schools, having served on multiple School Community Councils. 

“Our education system is the foundation of our society now and in the future,” said Dahle after emotionally thanking the Board members who have served before her as well as teachers and her own family. “It’s important that we all work together as parents, teachers, community members, to provide a quality education for our students, to help them succeed to the best of their abilities.”

The mother of four children, three of whom still attend Canyons’ schools, Dahle replaces Nancy Tingey who did not run for re-election. She holds a degree in Sports Medicine from Brigham Young University and a master’s in Special Physical Education from the University of Utah. Having grown up and lived around the world as both the daughter and spouse of Air Force officers, she values diverse perspectives and community engagement.

The Board also heralded the return to District 7 of Holly Neibaur who has served on the Canyons Board of Education since January, 2021. Prior to that, she served across a number of School Community Councils since 2011, not to mention her time working as a teacher in Utah County and volunteering with districts in Tennessee. 

Neibaur remarked on the success the Board and District have seen over the past four years, including the systems put in place to help shepherd students into their futures. Quoting from “The New York Times” bestseller, “The Boys in the Boat: An Epic Journey to the Heart of Hitler’s Berlin,” Neibaur remarked on how working smoothly as a team can help guide any ship forward, crediting the success of the Board to their ability to come together on big issues.

“I would submit to you, the reason why our state is so great is because public school is the school of choice for most Utahns still,” said Neibaur, “I think the most important thing we can do as a state is to solidify our public schools, keep them strong, keep everyone immersed, and extend that love that can help us all feel unified so that all of our ships rise.”

Canyons Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins congratulated incoming Board members while thanking outgoing members for their dedication to students.

“When you think about a few of the hallmarks of American democracy, and this thing called ‘peaceful transfer of power,’ and how elections work, this really is what it’s like to be an American,” Robins said. “This is what we fight for, this is what we protect. So I hope you young people watching tonight are thinking about your future and what possibly can be.”

Remarking on the important role school boards play, Mayor Walker commended the newly-elected leaders for stepping up to serve.  “They don’t do it for easy decisions. They dedicate their service to what is most precious, and that is our children,” he said. “Welcome to the Canyons School District family. Let’s get to work.”