School Board Member Melissa Maurer ended her 16 year tenure on Monday, November 10th. Mrs. Maurer was elected to the Henderson County Board of Public Education in 1998 and has served four terms.
For 12 of the 16 years on the School Board, she has been the Co-Chairperson. She has served the children of the Henderson County Public Schools with diligence, commitment, and dedication. She has been a great supporter of the CTE programs at Balfour Education Center and the Early College High School program.
Her work as a School Board member has upheld the HCPS mission statement: “Henderson County Public Schools will provide all students the opportunity to learn and the encouragement to succeed in a safe environment. We will honor the individual and nurture the potential of all children.” When she began her journey with the School Board, her son Elliott and daughter Julia were students at Hendersonville Elementary. While they were there, she served as the school’s PTO president. Elliott, who is now 26, graduated from UNC-Asheville. Julia, 24, graduated from NC State University, and is currently working towards her Masters in Education at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Melissa has served the community in many capacities – Girl Scout leader, Red Cross volunteer, Downtown Hendersonville, Inc. Board, Smart Start (received Champion of Children award in 2003), Boys and Girls Club, JobReady Task Force, and a regular participant at the annual Career Day held each year for high school juniors at Blue Ridge Community College.
She has been very involved with the Chamber of Commerce, serving as Education Committee Chair and co-chairman of the Workforce Development Committee. She was instrumental in coordinating Chamber programs such as the North Carolina Scholars Luncheon, New Teachers Dinner, Shadow-A- Teacher Day, and the National Certified Teacher Recognition program. She also helped the Chamber initiate the Junior Leadership Program in 2001 for area high school juniors.
Chamber of Commerce awards include the 2007 Small Business Leader award and the Education Champion award in 2006. This year she received the 2014 Clifton J. Shipman Award given by the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association. The award is given each year to a local business person who is an asset to the community.
Melissa and her husband, Bruce, have owned and operated the Blue Ribbon Custom Frame Shop since 1986. Melissa’s involvement in the community and positions held in organizations are a testament to the HCPS Core Values, “We are here for the children we serve.” She has championed all children and will be greatly missed.