Melanie Smarsh

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Melanie Smarsh

Nonpartisan

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Recent elections

Office

Maize Unified School District 266 District 3, Position 6

Date Elected

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Dighton High School

Bachelor's

Fort Hays State University, 2003

Personal

Birthplace

Garden City, Kan.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Stay-at-home parent

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Melanie Smarsh is a member-elect of the Maize Unified School District 266 in Kansas, representing District 3, Position 6. She assumes office on January 12, 2026.

Smarsh ran for election to the Maize Unified School District 266 to represent District 3, Position 6 in Kansas. She won in the general election on November 4, 2025.

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

Biography

Melanie Smarsh was born in Garden City, Kansas. Smarsh's career experience includes working as a stay-at-home parent and as a human resources professional. She earned a bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University in 2003.

Elections

2025

See also: Maize Unified School District 266, Kansas, elections (2025)

General election

General election for Maize Unified School District 266 District 3, Position 6

Melanie Smarsh defeated Asia Gormley-Siemens in the general election for Maize Unified School District 266 District 3, Position 6 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melanie Smarsh (Nonpartisan)	65.7	1,837
		Asia Gormley-Siemens (Nonpartisan)	34.3	957

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	There were no incumbents in this race. Source	Total votes: 2,794
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Asia Gormley-Siemens and Melanie Smarsh advanced from the primary for Maize Unified School District 266 District 3, Position 6.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Smarsh in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have lived in the Maize school district for nearly 20 years. I graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2003 with a Bachelors of Science in Leadership Studies with a minor in Management. I have 4 beautiful children, ages ranging from 19 to 4 and I’m very active within their schools. I am also a very active member in our volunteer community. I am proudly endorsed by Kansans for Life. I look forward to continuing my volunteer service with the Maize School Board of Education.

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?

• Maintain transparency in leadership
• Advocate for fiscal responsibility
• Continue our academic excellence

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about academic excellence

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

There are several people I look up to. I look up to people of integrity, good character and who are honest

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

I believe in integrity and honesty. Without either of those , you are unable to have trust.

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

To be fair and consistent with our policies. To make sure the work and education environment is of excellent quality.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A legacy of love and faith

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

The biggest one was 9/11. I was in college and saw the 2nd plane hit the tower. It was absolutely shocking.

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

I grew up on a farm and worked there during my high school years. It was a lot of hard work!

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

A school board member oversees everything from fiscal responsibility, to contract negotiations, to employee satisfaction and communication.

Who are your constituents?

Families in the school district

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

By listening to parents and teachers.

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

I already work with the district pantry and I have several networks in the city for more resources that can benefit our district.

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

I need to spend time in the classrooms to understand this better.

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

I believe in fiscal responsibility to make sure our schools are funded and running smoothly.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Encouraging parent involvement and to be aware of what’s going on around you. I know our district works closely with local law enforcement.

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

I need to understand what’s being done for mental health before I can understand how to support it.

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

None

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Kansans for Life

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

One free from distractions and where students feel supported and understood.

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

I’ve known a lot of the parents for many years. I have a great relationship with established families and I’m welcoming to all new families.

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

I have a background in Human Resources. I would like to work with the current admin to see where we can adjust for hiring.

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

No

What role should artificial intelligence have in your school district?

Not sure right now.

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.

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Candidate

Maize Unified School District 266 District 3, Position 6

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