LORI MAUGHAN

Incumbent School Board Member
Lori Maughan is an incumbent up for reelection with prior experience on community councils and the San Juan Advisory Board for Utah State University Eastern. She also has worked as a business owner with her husband, a PTA President at Monticello Elementary School, and a Regional PTA President representing the southeastern region of the county.
The long-time San Juan County native has extensive experience and understanding of the school district as she attended elementary and high school in Monticello. All four of her children also went through their schooling in the county.
Maughan says her background in business influences her views on the importance of maintaining a balanced budget and “responsibly spending taxpayer dollars” that come from a state, county, and reservation lands. She also believes that the funds should be distributed equally across the board and support schools that are “thriving” as much as those that are not.
Additionally, Maughan believes that making sure there is conversation with all parents in the district is crucial.
“Realistically, I have to remember that those people down South are parents just like I am,” she said. “We want what’s best for our child. That’s all we really want.”
Another focal point of her campaign is supporting teachers.
“One of the most critical issues we have is that it’s very hard to retain quality educators, especially in our southern schools,” she said.
Maughan emphasizes the importance of programs like Quality Teacher Incentive Program. This program offers a $12,000 yearly salary enhancement and subsidized housing eligibility for experienced teachers interested in a “lead teacher” position, where they mentor other teachers. The board hopes this will slow the high turnover rates in southern schools.
Finally, Maughan hopes to work on funding to help solve the issue of poor roads in some parts of the district, roads which cause some students to “ride the bus for two hours each way every day.”

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