Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen officiated the swearing-in ceremony, as she invited Canyons School Board President Nancy Tingey, who represents District 3; Mont Millerberg, who represents District 1; and Holly Neibaur, who represents District 7, to individually participate in the oath, which were conducted in a safe, physically distant manner. 

“I so admire what all of the educators do, and I’m so thrilled to be able to participate in this,” Swensen said.  The Oath of Office ceremony was held in the Board Chambers of the Canyons District Offices, 9361 S. 300 East. 

Tingey and Millerberg are beginning third terms as members of the Canyons Board of Education. Neibaur, succeeding Chad Iverson, who did not run for re-election, is beginning her first term. Each member took a moment to make remarks about the momentous occasion. 

Neibaur, a former educator who graduated with a degree in secondary education from Brigham Young University and taught in middle school, shared thoughts about the challenges students and teachers have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also reflected on the influence her previous teachers and students have had on her life, and the potential Canyons has as it moves forward this year.

“I’m grateful to be in the Canyons School District boat,” Neibaur said. “We have a good crew. I look forward to being a Canyons rower. Together our different perspectives will be our brightest and best tools and together we will find unity. Let us remember we are all in this boat together and not one rower is more valuable than the other.”

Millerberg reflected on some of the highlights of his previous eight years on the Canyons Board. During his previous two terms, Canyons successfully passed two general-obligation bonds in 2010 and 2017 to fund the Board’s ambitious school-improvement program. Another high point included the improvement of student achievement at Midvale Elementary, and the opportunity to increase support for teacher salaries in 2019. 

“I believe that one of the most exciting things that happened was when we announced a very substantial pay increase for our teachers,” Millerberg said. “I will tell you that over the last year I haven’t had one person complain to me about the compensation level of educators, and I was very happy that we could do that for our teachers.”

Tingey also reflected on some of the experiences she has had as a member of the Canyons Board of Education, including the opportunity to work with three superintendents and one interim superintendent. 

“It’s a privilege to represent the residents of Canyons District 3 on the Board of Education,” Tingey said. “In my eight years thus far, I have experienced much and learned a great deal about serving with a Board, and yet I still feel like a rookie, and you know what, I hope I always do. For me, education is not a state of being, it’s a process, a continuum that is all about facing and conquering new frontiers, whether it’s a third-grade student learning multiplication or a high school student studying physics or a public school system increasing rigor, relevance and opportunity for all.”