Melissa Girmscheid

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Melissa Girmscheid

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Moon Valley High School

Bachelor's

Arizona State University, 2000

Graduate

Arizona State University, 2014

Personal

Birthplace

Davenport, Iowa

Profession

Science teacher

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Melissa Girmscheid ran for election for an at-large seat of the Peoria Unified School District in Arizona. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Girmscheid completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Melissa Girmscheid was born in Davenport, Iowa. She graduated from Moon Valley High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in 2000 and a graduate degree from Arizona State University in 2014. Her career experience includes working as a science teacher.

Elections

2024

See also: Peoria Unified School District, Arizona, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Becky Proudfit (Nonpartisan)	19.6	51,099
✔	Submit photo	Janelle Bowles (Nonpartisan)	18.5	48,349
✔		Jeffrey Tobey (Nonpartisan)	18.2	47,586
		David Sandoval (Nonpartisan)	16.6	43,222
		Melissa Girmscheid (Nonpartisan)	14.6	38,126
		Mikah Dyer (Nonpartisan)	12.2	31,934
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	675

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 260,991
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Girmscheid in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Melissa Girmscheid completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Girmscheid'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 17-year physics teacher running for the Peoria Unified School Board. We moved to Peoria in 2001, excited to live in a great school district. My two children attended Peoria schools from kindergarten through high school graduation, and I spent ten years teaching in the district. During my time in the Peoria district, I earned a Masters of Natural Sciences degree and became a National Board Certified Teacher. In 2020 I was given the opportunity to teach 9th grade physics in a neighboring district, which is where I am today. I'm running to do what I do in my classroom: put students first. As a teacher, I strive to do what is best for students and, as a board member, I will do the same.

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?

• We need to improve educator retention, specifically teachers and school staff. Students benefit from having experienced, caring adults in the classroom and on campus.
• We need to build family partnerships. Students succeed when families and schools work together.
• We need to increase student access to programs. Students and families should be able to choose the K-8 and high school programs that will foster success.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about education funding and teacher leadership.

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

This is a nonpartisan position, meaning that political ideologies should have no place in the decision-making process. School board members must put students first in all decisions.

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

I was in fourth grade when my class watched the Challenger explode live on television. As a child, I was stunned. When I became a teacher, the respect for how my teachers handled that event with grace and compassion greatly influenced how I handle tough situations in my own classroom.

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

School board members hire and evaluate the superintendent, approve the budget, establish policy, approve curricular materials, and serve as the voice of the public.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are the 36,000 students of Peoria Unified, their families, and the greater Peoria Unified community.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

314 Action, Arizona National Organization for Women PAC, Save Our Schools Arizona

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

I plan to visit campuses across the district for forums with parents. This is the best way to learn the needs of our individual Peoria schools and neighborhoods.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

School board members have a responsibility to ensure that the district budget is discussed in public meeting and posted on the district website. Expenditures should always further the mission and vision of the school district and fit within the district strategic plan.

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.

See also

2024 Elections

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Candidate

Peoria Unified School District, At-large

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