FARMINGTON—There will be a new face on the Davis Board of Education as Kaysville resident Michelle Barber takes her seat on the dais after being sworn in at Tuesday’s board meeting. Barber was selected from four other candidates to fill the open seat left by Derek Lamb who resigned last month. She will represent Precinct 5, which covers areas in Kaysville, Layton, Clearfield and Hill Air Force Base.

“I want to bring a balanced perspective to the board and look at things in a new way,” said Barber. “I’ve been involved in education and I’m impressed by the teachers and staff. They’re dedicated to building a better community. I’m excited about that.”

Barber is a former Kaysville City Council member and is currently the chair of the Kaysville City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She is also on the school community councils at her children’s elementary and junior high schools and sits on the school library committee to review books at her children’s school, according to the district. 

“I think one thing I can bring is when topics become polarizing I can help find middle ground,” said Barber. “The Davis School District is a frontrunner in education. I think we should capitalize on the good things but also focus on things that need to be addressed.”

Barber, who works in web design, believes in a balanced use of technology in the classroom. “I’ve seen the evolution of the internet come into the classroom,” she said. “We need to use it in a productive way and balance that so we’re not replacing teaching with technology.”

Teachers should be supported with the resources they need, said Barber. “They should be recognized for the incredible influence on students that they are.”

Barber is a lifelong Davis County resident and Davis High School graduate. “I’ve been served really well by the Davis School system and my kids are being served well. I have four kids, two in junior high and two in elementary. I thought it was the right time to focus my attention where they are.”

Her mother started teaching in the district when Barber was starting high school. “She’s still teaching today,” said Barber. “It’s been fun to have her perspective as a teacher. Supporting teachers is a great way to invest in students as well.”

Another goal Barber said she has is to bring more interest in recreation and sports. “I want to facilitate more opportunities for students. I’ve seen good things when cities partner with the district. I think there is a lot we can do to further that relationship.”

When she opened up the email from the district announcing the opening Barber said her first thought was that she hoped they would find a person with a balanced viewpoint to represent that area. “Then my second thought was ‘maybe that could be me.’ It would give me a chance to be involved at this level.”

Barber said when her kids’ friends at school heard about her appointment, they brought a laundry list home of things they wanted her to work on. “I told them I would not be voting for no homework.”

There is so much to learn, she said. “I look forward to that and to getting to know the administrative staff better. I’m really motivated to get to know the people in the communities I’ll represent, the schools, families and students. I want to make sure they’re well represented on the board. That’s the thing I’ll focus on.”