This Update Spells Trouble for Peoria Unified School District

By Tiffany Benson |

As the November elections approach, conservatives face a critical need to recognize the partisan dynamics in school board races. Despite their official nonpartisan registration, candidates David Sandoval, Melissa Girmscheid, and Mikah Dyer plan to advance a progressive agenda on the Peoria Unified Board of Education.

All three are backed by Save Our Schools Arizona (SOS), a nonprofit known for opposing school choice and promoting union interests. They publicly challenge empowerment scholarship accounts (ESA), claiming ESAs provide funding that exceeds state per pupil amounts for district schools. However, opponents argue that Arizona’s public schools have been performing poorly for years, ranking near the bottom nationally.

Supporting this viewpoint, a Washington Post columnist recently highlighted that Arizona spends approximately $13,500 per public school student, while ESAs average just $7,143. This significant financial disparity suggests that expanding school choice could reduce state education spending.

Candidate Dyer, who graduated from the district in May 2024, has also made headlines for opposing parental organizations like Moms for Liberty. He argues that students should have a say in their education, a viewpoint that undermines parental rights. In his comments, he dismissed concerns raised by peers regarding school policies on restroom usage, reflecting a disconnect from student sentiment.

Sandoval, another candidate with a contentious record, has supported policies that some view as compromising student safety. He has voted for measures allowing boys into girls’ restrooms while also downplaying the need for student resource officers in light of rising school violence. Critics note that student achievement under his tenure has seen minimal improvement, with math proficiency rates hovering around 37%.

Girmscheid brings teaching experience to her campaign; however, her connections to teachers’ unions and social change movements raise questions about her priorities. In recent forums, she expressed support for reintroducing comprehensive sex education in PUSD schools, which some view as inappropriate for younger students.

For Peoria voters looking for candidates who prioritize safety and academic achievement, Jeff Tobey and Janelle Bowles emerge as viable alternatives. Their commitment to parental rights and educational integrity stands in stark contrast to the agenda of their opponents.

Benson’s insights on education and politics serve as a call to action for concerned citizens. Awareness and informed voting are essential for ensuring a school district focused on students’ needs rather than special interests.

Tiffany Benson is the Founder of Restore Parental Rights in Education. Her commentaries on education, politics, and Christian faith can be viewed at Parentspayattention.substack.com and Bigviewsmallwindow.com.