Q&A: School board candidate Rhonda Melvin

Rhonda Melvin and her family moved to Maricopa in 2006 when her husband Patrick was named Maricopa's first police chief. Though she has never held elected office before, Rhonda Melvin is ready for the challenge.

"Now that my children are away in college or gainfully employed, I look forward to additional volunteer opportunities," she said.

Age: 47

Family: Husband Patrick Melvin, three children (Jasmine, Patrick ll and Lorenzo)

Education: Associate’s degree in early childhood education/sociology from Maricopa Community Colleges District

Occupation: Homemaker

School kids attend: Kids attended Desert Wind Middle School and Maricopa High.

Hobbies: Supporting the activities of our children, reading, volunteering, going to the spa.

Community service: Against Abuse annual gala, my church

Maricopa resident since: 2006

Why are you running?
Being an Arizona native, I attended some of the best public schools within the community in which I lived. I’m running because I firmly believe that all residents of Maricopa, if they choose, deserve an educational system that will educate, equip and empower their children for their future.

What qualifies you for the position?
I’m a concerned resident who desires to help improve the educational system in Maricopa, my community.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term?
Assisting and supporting the efforts of the MUSD to provide quality education in the city of Maricopa.

How will you accomplish that?
Information and knowledge is power. I feel informing parents of the importance of parental involvement and volunteerism is very important.  MUSD can’t do it all by itself. I will be an advocate for parental volunteerism in the classroom time-permitting. I will also be an advocate for reducing barriers for parental involvement and volunteerism in the district.

What are the three biggest challenges facing MUSD?
Retention, Retention, Retention! Retention of quality teachers, faculty, staff and our students are huge challenges of the district and the future of not only the MUSD but the city of Maricopa.

What will you do to overcome them?
Collaborative partnerships, working to improve without a personal agenda. My children have graduated and aged out of MUSD and have continued their higher education now. However, I truly have a love for our community children and for the future of our community. We have to invest in our children if we want our children to be successful. Overcoming this challenge isn’t impossible; our governing board, administration and the residents of Maricopa can assist and work together for the greater good of the community. 

***ADVERTISEMENT***Do you support MUSD's effort to pass a budget override?
Approving the override will provide the help and assistance our teachers need and our children deserve. It will allow for smaller classes, additional skilled paraprofessionals and increased academic programs. The Override will assist in preparing and equipping our children with the tools necessary for success beyond MUSD and in a higher educational environment if that is the student’s choice. I want our children to have that choice. So, do I support the override, absolutely! 

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