Melissa earned a master's degree in deaf education from Canisius College. She lives with her husband, Scott, and has two children, and attends LifePoint church.

Melissa currently works as an American Sign Language teacher at Cape Fear Community College. She previously worked as a speech therapist at the Rochester School for the Deaf.

Melissa is currently a member of the New Hanover County Board of Education. She was first elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024.

Melissa Mason - Ballotpedia

Melissa currently serves as a New Hanover County Board of Education member. She was first elected in 2022, and is serving her first term.

In a narrow vote, New Hanover County school board walks away ...

As school board member, voted against participation in an artificial intelligence security pilot program.

- As school board member, voted against participation in an artificial intelligence security pilot program.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports programs that allow qualifying families to use public money for alternative schooling options, including private schools.

- Supports programs that allow qualifying families to use public money for alternative schooling options, including private schools.

Access to Education

As of January 2, 2026, Melissa Mason’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Teachers

Plans to "[r]emove all obscene material from the schools, and age-inappropriate sexual content from all curricula."

- Opposes education on race and racism.
- Plans to "[r]emove all obscene material from the schools, and age-inappropriate sexual content from all curricula."

School Curriculum

Supports requiring schools to inform parents if a student uses mental or sexual health services.

- Supports requiring schools to inform parents if a student uses mental or sexual health services.

Student Wellbeing

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Melissa Mason

2022 Primary Election: Melissa Mason runs for NHCS board | Port ...

Said, "The creation of a chief equity officer was an unnecessary and wasteful decision of our superintendent."

Supports school choice, which would allow parents to use public school funds to pay for their children to attend schools beyond their local option, including private schools.

Said, "We need to remove some of the excess responsibilities from the teachers, beginning with EDI expectations."

Said, "I propose we create a book review committee comprised of parents and educators to review controversial material and determine whether or not it should be allowed in our schools. This would make the process transparent and communal, rather than opaque and confrontational."

Advocates for more school resource officers and volunteer role models to help teachers with students struggling with behavior issues.

Believes parental involvement will hold students accountable and ensure their success.

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 