School Board honors Carolyn Mebert for 20 years of ‘dedicated service’

posted on 12/18/2025

School Board Vice-Chair Carolyn Mebert attended her last meeting as a member on Dec. 8, capping 20 years of service to the School Board as a 10-term elected member.

The School Board honored their Ward 3 representative during the meeting, presenting Mebert with a Resolution of Appreciation and a departing gift.

“Her unselfish efforts and commitment to educational excellence have contributed to the enhancement of the Dover School District,” School Board Chair Robin Trefethen read from a resolution. “On behalf of the people of Dover, the School Board hereby presents to Carolyn Mebert a small token of thanks and appreciation for her dedicated service to the city.”

Mebert was first elected for the 2002-2003 term, and reelected four more terms through 2011. She was reelected for another five terms beginning in 2016. She served in many capacities through those years, including stints as School Board chair and serving on many district committees. Mebert has a PhD in psychology and was a psychology professor at the University of New Hampshire for decades. She has also served for many years on the board of the Dover Children’s Home, the former Strafford Guidance Center, and was a founding member of the non-profit Seacoast Educational Endowment for Dover (SEED).

“It has been a privilege to be here and work with dedicated educators,” Mebert said at the Dec. 8 meeting. “It’s been a wonderful learning experience for me, and I appreciate all the support that has been given by the community and members of the staff to the board, and the board to the staff. It’s a great community, and I love it.”

School Board Secretary Michelle Clancy thanked Mebert for mentorship over the years, including when Clancy was considering running for an elected seat. Superintendent Christine Boston thanked Mebert for her “calm, steady presence” through the many challenges over the years.

The 2026-2027 School Board will be sworn in on Monday, Jan. 5, where Seana Hallberg will become the new Ward 3 School Board representative.