Melodye Smith

Melodye Smith

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Manchester Board of School Committee Ward 2

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

Associate

New Hampshire Technical Institute, 1980

Other

St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing, 1975

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Nurse

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Melodye Smith is running for election to the Manchester Board of School Committee to represent Ward 2 in New Hampshire. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. The primary for this office on September 16, 2025, was canceled.

Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2025

See also: Manchester School District, New Hampshire, elections (2025)

General election

General election for Manchester Board of School Committee Ward 2

Incumbent Sean Parr and Melodye Smith are running in the general election for Manchester Board of School Committee Ward 2 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Sean Parr (Nonpartisan)
		Melodye Smith (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sean Parr and Melodye Smith advanced from the primary for Manchester Board of School Committee Ward 2.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lily M. Foss (D)	19.6	7,085
✔		Tim Hartnett (D)	18.4	6,642
✔		Karen Hegner (D)	17.3	6,249
	Submit photo	Ryan Hebert (R)	16.1	5,819
		Melodye Smith (R)	14.3	5,184
	Submit photo	Lee Davis (R)	14.3	5,154
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	20

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 36,153
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 (3 seats)

Lily M. Foss, Tim Hartnett, and Karen Hegner defeated Mary Smith and Rebecca Smith in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 on September 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lily M. Foss	27.7	1,574
✔		Tim Hartnett	24.6	1,400
✔		Karen Hegner	20.4	1,159
	Submit photo	Mary Smith	14.7	835
	Submit photo	Rebecca Smith	12.3	698
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	22

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,688
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 (3 seats)

Ryan Hebert, Melodye Smith, and Lee Davis advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 on September 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Ryan Hebert	38.4	1,326
✔		Melodye Smith	31.1	1,074
✔	Submit photo	Lee Davis	29.3	1,012
		Other/Write-in votes	1.2	41

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,453
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Smith in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Melodye Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a mom, grandma, Retired RN, church leader and active community member.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Lets get back to basics. Our children need to know how to read with comprehension. They need to know math without depending on electronics. They need to know science, civics, history, and critical thinking. They need industrial arts, home economics to function in a busy complicated world. Our proficiency scores are dismal and have not improved even with extensive budget increases.
• Transparency and accountability of the school board and school department is essential. Unfortunately, this is a problem. Parents, educators and taxpayers need the truth to make fair, informed decisions. Even if the truth is unpleasant or unpopular, it has to be made available.
• I would like to see some things being taught in school left to parents and family. I believe schools have over reached in areas that should be left to families. I do not believe teachers should discuss their own political ideology, sexual gender ideology or religious ideology in the classroom, no child should know what their teachers political, sexual or religious views are. Let kids make their own decisions without school telling them what to believe.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Teaching our children the basics! If a child has a solid base, foundation of knowledge, they can add and grow on that. For instance, if you build a home on a solid foundation it will last. If you build it on sand, it will fall and crumble in a heavy storm.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to many people, but I would say, my dad. He grew up in tough circumstances, lied about his age to get into the service, then joined the Army at 18. He was a career soldier but also, my dad. He was a tough drill instructor, but was well respected. He worried about the young men that were going overseas, so he volunteered to serve there also. He cared deeply for the people of Vietnam, wanted them to be free and live their lives as they wanted. He served as an advisor to help their soldiers. He laid down his life there. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for a friend….In my life, I chose to honor his service to others by serving others as a nurse. I love my country deeply, even with her flaws. I have the utmost love and respect for this man who I had the honor and privilege of calling dad.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty is extremely important. Sgain, I would rather the truth even if it might be uncomfortable. If you don’t know an answer, be honest either way me!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Honesty, accountability snd transparency are crucial. Take responsibility for your action and be honest.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I want to leave is this…that I loved my God, that I loved family and others with all my heart. That I helped others and cared. I hope when Im gone and when they think of me, that they will smile.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was quite young but the assassination of President Kennedy. I remember an older boy in the neighborhood telling me and I cried because I knew something changed our lives.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I started baby sitting at age 11. My very first official job at 16, was at a local nursing home, serving snacks to the residents! I had a chance to listen to stories, and it was great fun. I stayed there for a year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Shack is one of my favorites. Learning about the love and forgiveness of God was incredible.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The fairy Godmother in Cinderella! She made wishes come true!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

A struggle had been so much loss of so many people in my life that I loved so deeply….

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

To advocate for and serve our children is the primary job of a school board member.

Who are your constituents?

I have a wide, diverse group of constituents.. Family, Community members, moms, dads, neighbors, church friends, previous work colleagues. I also have political constituents.. aldermen, state representatives, state senators and many candidates seeking office.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

First, we need to listen. We do not always agree with others but we need to keep an open dialogue. Change can happen when we listen and are respectful to others views.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

Since day one of this campaign, I have given out my phone number, email to everyone. I gladly involve myself in conversation. I am available to anyone with questions, concerns, suggestions.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Kids that are engaged and excited will learn! Most teachers go above and beyond to help kids learn. For example, I had a teacher sit and read an algebra textbook to us and expected us to learn. Some kids fell asleep, others did homework from other classes. It was horrible. Our teachers today have incredible resources available. I also want to say this, we need to teach our kids at home that what they put into school/ learning, is what they will get out of it. Do your best, try your hardest, ask for help and you will learn great knowledge!!

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

Lets look at the budget, line by line. Reassess every expenditure. Stop wasting money on unnecessary things in our schools. We might have to streamline but if we work together, keep our focus on the kids and not our egos, we can make it work.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Responsibility and accountability . Kids need to be accountable for their actions, take responsibility. Parents need to work with the schools and we need a united front. Teachers/ administration need to have a united stand against bad behavior and bullying. That is no tolerance for that.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Kids know they have counselors they can see as needed in school, teachers should have the same.

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

I want safety in our schools. I believe rules, boundaries and discipline are needed. Instead of worrying about everyones feelings, that can change in an instance, knowing what the rules and consequences are actually bring a level of security to a child.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Manchester Republican Committee, state representatives, current alderman, state senator, current candidate for Congress

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

First, I want them to know, I am here for them because I care. My number and email are available. I can meet up with parents/ family members/ guardians as requested. This is about building trust and confidence for families to know I am here to serve.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

The city school department administration is bloated and too top heavy. The financial resources put into administration should have been put into the classrooms. Para’s need better pay, teachers need more support by administration. Administration needs to support educators by dealing with student behaviors, bullying behaviors. If a teacher knows that administration has their back, they will be more willing to stay on as a teacher.

Are there any areas of school curriculum you would like to see changed?

Again, lets get back to the basics.

What role should artificial intelligence have in your school district?

I see a place for it, however, I would like rules in place so it is not taken advantage of. I am still learning about this, so I would certainly ask for guidance from the experts.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

I was sitting at a park on a beautiful dummer day talking to a friend about a school issue. A young man probably 14-15 years old, was walking by and stopped. He looked at me and said, they wont even teach me cursive writing! My heart broke for him. I look at dome young people, they cant read cursive writing so they cannot read the Declaration of Independence, so many historical documents. Why did we stop? Who decided it wasn’t important? We failed our kids…

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I raised my two children by myself. It was the greatest joy of my life. They are amazing well educated successful adults because they made good choices for their lives.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2024

Melodye Smith did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Melodye Smith campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41	Lost general	$0	$0
Grand total			$0	$0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2025 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Manchester Board of School Committee Ward 2

Website

Facebook

Personal

LinkedIn