Asia Gormley-Siemens

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

Asia Gormley-Siemens

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Oklahoma State University, 2011

Personal

Profession

Stay-at-home parent

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Asia Gormley-Siemens ran for election to the Maize Unified School District 266 to represent District 3, Position 6 in Kansas. She lost in the general election on November 4, 2025.

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

Biography

Asia Gormley-Siemens earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in 2011. Her career experience includes working as a stay-at-home parent.

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 Gormley-Siemens in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Asia Gormley-Siemens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gormley-Siemens' 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 am a local, stay-at-home mother of two amazing elementary students in the Maize School District. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Oklahoma State University, which has helped me develop a strong appreciation for creative thinking, clear communication, and the value of early access to arts education. I am an ardent supporter of public education, and I believe that strong schools are the backbone of a great community. I am running because I believe that every child deserves a quality education in a safe, supportive learning environment.

My family chose to live in this district because of the schools- because of the dedication of our teaching staff and the excellence of our administration. Now, I hope to do my part to continue their work: to grow and adapt to the changing needs of our public school system, meet the challenges of our day, keep schools safe and enjoyable, and preserve and improve upon the high standards our district strives for.

I am not backed by national groups or special interests. I’m running because I care deeply about this district and want to serve our students, support our educators, and protect the future of our public schools. As a board member, I will ensure our district’s resources are used to support evidence-based curriculum, professional educator expertise, and the actual needs of our students- not the agendas of outside political or ideological groups.

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?

• I believe that every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and able to learn. Public education should be grounded in evidence, guided by professional educators, and free from politically motivated interference. Teachers should feel confident teaching accurate history and science without fear of retaliation. Students should feel welcomed, respected, and seen for who they are, and they should have access to the tools and support that meet their individual learning needs. Our classrooms should be spaces for growth, not battlegrounds for outside agendas.
• If I ask my children, “What’s my number one job?” they’ll say, “To keep us safe.” The mission of schools is education, but that can’t happen if students and staff don’t feel secure. From bullying to mental health needs to the threat of gun violence, our children and school staff are counting on us. I take seriously the school board’s duty to ensure schools are safe, welcoming, and equipped to meet today’s challenges. That means investing in prevention, supporting strong mental health resources, partnering with families to limit access to firearms at home, training staff to de-escalate issues early, and listening to those in our buildings about what they see daily. Our children, educators, and building staff deserve a promise of safety.
• From advanced academics to real-world experience at the Maize Career Academy, Maize schools are doing incredible work preparing students for life beyond the classroom. I believe in celebrating that success while continuing to ask how we can do even better. That means supporting the educators who make this work possible and investing in well-rounded learning that includes the arts, creativity, and critical thinking. It also means addressing chronic absenteeism in ways that strengthen family partnerships instead of straining them. Every child deserves a path to success, and every educator deserves the support to help them get there.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

• Student safety and well-being

• Support for educators as valued professionals
• Access to truthful, evidence-based curriculum

• Equitable, realistic approaches to class attendance and student engagement

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

I loved Mr. Roger's Neighborhood as a child, and now that I am an adult and parent I am even more impressed with his lifelong dedication to the emotional and social wellbeing of children.

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

• Integrity and transparency- School board members are the voice of their constituents for in district decision-making. It is vitally important that they faithfully represent their community, and maintain open, consistent communication with families.

• A genuine desire to serve- I care deeply about the children of our district. I truly wish the best for them, and want to give them every possible opportunity to learn, grow and succeed. I also believe that strong schools are built on strong relationships with families and I want our community to feel connected to, and invested in, our schools.

• Humility and a commitment to learning- Effective leadership requires both self-awareness and curiosity. I believe in listening to experts, seeking out diverse perspectives, and doing the work to fully understand the issues before making decisions. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I bring the mindset and work ethic to ask the right questions.

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

A school board member is responsible for representing the voices of their community while prioritizing the needs of students. They must exercise sound financial judgment and avoid letting personal politics or ideology override what’s best for the district. Board members should support, not micromanage, the work of school administrators, and stay focused on policies that promote student success.

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

The primary job of a school board member is to:

Set the vision for the district, and adopt policies that support student success
Engage with the community to understand concerns and represent local needs in board decisions
Responsibly, transparently, and effectively oversee the district budget to make sure funds are appropriately allocated and in line with community priorities
Provide oversight by evaluating the superintendent and ensuring accountability at the leadership level

Collaborate with district administration on long-term planning, including facilities and strategic initiatives

Who are your constituents?

The families who live within the boundaries of the Maize School District 266

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

Every student and staff member brings unique strengths and challenges to our schools. As a board member, I will support policies and prioritize budgets which help meet those diverse needs. The means ensuring strong special education services, investing in mental health support, and making sure teachers have time and resources to reach learners at all levels. I believe in providing all students- including those from different family backgrounds, income levels, religions, and identities- with the tools they need to succeed. That includes supporting well-trained staff, inclusive policies, and safe, welcoming classrooms.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Secure schools don’t start at the front door. By the time a firearm is discovered in a clear backpack or stopped at a metal detector, it's already on school property—often during crowded morning arrival. At that point, we aren’t preventing violence; we’re reacting to it.

Safety must be proactive and comprehensive. That means addressing not just physical threats, but bullying, mental health challenges, and students’ emotional well-being. I support policies that invest in prevention: more counselors and support staff, training in de-escalation and early intervention, and strong partnerships with families to reduce unsupervised access to firearms at home—where 76% of school shooters obtained the weapon.

Our schools should be safe and welcoming, not institutional. Every student deserves to feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn.

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

Supporting mental health starts with investing in the people and systems that make care possible. That means prioritizing counselors and support staff in the district budget, and providing training in trauma-informed practices for teachers and staff. I also support policies that recognize mental health as part of overall wellness, including allowing excused absences for mental health needs. When students and staff are emotionally supported, everyone is better equipped to learn, lead, and thrive.

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

I would like to see adjustments to the district’s attendance policy; particularly how excused absences are qualified. Right now, families are often confused about when documentation is required, overwhelmed by the cost of medical visits just to secure a doctor’s note, and fearful of being referred to truancy court. I support a more holistic approach to attendance, including:

• Encouraging students and staff to stay home when sick, to help prevent the spread of illness
• Allowing parents to excuse illness-related absences without requiring a doctor’s note for short absences
• Providing supportive interventions for students flagged for chronic absenteeism, involving teachers, counselors, and attendance staff
• Creating a school environment that is welcoming, engaging, and fun—so students want to be there

Our policies should reflect trust in families and a shared goal of supporting student success.

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

The simple answer is to be open, responsive, and proactive about communication. I want parents to feel comfortable sharing their questions, concerns, and ideas, and I genuinely welcome that feedback. I will make time each week to respond to parent outreach, and I’ll look for ways to stay engaged through community events, school visits, and listening sessions. Building trust with families means showing up, listening well, and following through.

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

Maize simply needs to be an attractive workplace. Competitive wages and benefits matter, but just as important is creating a professional, respectful environment that draws in and supports great people. This is true for our teachers, but also the paraprofessionals, custodial and grounds crews, food service workers, clerical staff, and others who keep our schools running.

Maize should be known as a district where educators are treated as the highly skilled professionals they are, with the time, resources, and ongoing training they need to help students succeed. At the same time, we must foster a culture of respect and support across every department. When all staff feel valued and equipped to do their jobs well, we won't just recruit great people, we'll keep them. Happy district employees support happy and successful students.

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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Maize Unified School District 266 District 3, Position 6

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