- Peoria Unified School District
- Current Board Members
Heather Rooks, Governing Board President
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Mrs. Heather Rooks joined the Peoria Unified Governing Board on January 1, 2023 and currently serves as a board member. Mrs. Rooks grew up in the Peoria Unified School District and is a proud graduate of Sunrise Mountain High School. Before becoming a wife and mother, she spent three years at Glendale Community College studying for an education degree. Mrs. Rooks spends her time actively engaging with her community, founding local parent advocacy groups and advocating for children’s education, along with parental rights.
As a board member, she focuses on supporting pro-American curriculum, special needs students and special education employees, school safety and bus driver support. She is also passionate about ensuring academic support for Peoria Unified students and staff while advocating for transparency. She and her husband have four children who attend school in the Peoria Unified School District.
Jeff Tobey, Governing Board Clerk
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Mr. Jeff Tobey is a proud husband and father of four children, ranging from college to pre-school, living in Arizona. A graduate of Arizona State University, he earned his BA in Communications (Magna Cum Laude) from the College of Human Services, where he also served as a Public Speaking Mentor and honed his mediation skills.
With over 20 years in law enforcement, Mr. Tobey has held roles in Patrol, Neighborhood Enforcement, the Tactical Response Unit, and School Safety. Since 2016, he has served in a leadership capacity, bringing extensive experience to his work in community safety. In addition, he has volunteered as a Safety Chairman and consultant for his place of worship.
As a Peoria Unified School Board member, Mr. Tobey is passionate about implementing policies that prioritize campus safety, improve academic proficiency—particularly in reading—and maintain a balanced budget. A coffee enthusiast who loves sushi, travel, and live music, Mr. Tobey aims to bring a grounded, parent-focused perspective to the Board, ensuring the success of the ever-changing educational landscape for generations to come.
Becky Proudfit, Governing Board Member
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Mrs. Proudfit is a public speaker and accomplished leader who brings business acumen and strong problem-solving skills to her role as a Governing Board member. She is committed to upholding the values of the Peoria Unified School District including integrity, excellence, equity and collaboration. Most importantly, Mrs. Proudfit is an advocate for parental involvement and proud mother to four children, two of whom attend Peoria Unified schools.
Melissa Ewing, Governing Board Member
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Mrs. Melissa Ewing has been a resident of Peoria, Ariz. since 2006 and joined the Peoria Unified Governing Board in January of 2023. She most recently served as a substitute teacher for various grade levels in schools across the district. Her passion for supporting local community schools stems from the many years she spent volunteering in various roles at her children’s schools. She continues to promote best practices for student academic success, employee excellence, and encourages positive collaborative parent and community relationships.
On the board, her focus is on making decisions based on what would be in the best academic interest of all 37,000 students, building and strengthening positive relationships with staff, parents, and community and making sure schools have the resources they need to succeed. Mrs. Ewing holds a master’s degrees in both education and counseling and has also served as a counselor at community mental health providers in the valley. She and her husband have been married for more than 20 years, and have two children who have attended schools in the Peoria Unified District.
Janelle Bowles, Governing Board Member
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Ms. Janelle Bowles is a wife, mom, Mimi, entrepreneur, business owner, and former general manager of a statewide, quality-driven social service agency. She is also a nine-year veteran of the Peoria Unified School District. Highlights of her career include facilitating, hiring, developing, and training a combination of over 100 licensed social workers, parent aides, counselors, managers, and family life specialists. Janelle has served as a special education family advocate, working directly with parents, teachers, counselors and students in maintaining best practices for children with special needs. More recently Ms. Bowles was elected to serve on the St. Luke's Sybil B. Harrington Scholarship Board.
Ms. Bowles has been an active public school mom and mentor for nearly two decades. She and her husband of 28 years have raised three children, two biological and one foster, all graduates of Peoria Unified.
Ms. Bowles is a native of Minnesota and comes from a close-knit, small family of fourteen. She is a first-generation college graduate having completed two college degrees as well as holding an early childhood teaching certificate and an associate’s degree in child development.
Ms. Bowles has worked for many years with families in our local community. She is honored to be able to place her focus on her role as a Peoria Unified Governing Board Member. Her goals include improving the quality of education offered to Peoria students and enhancing safety on all campuses.
Ms. Bowles brings to the Board a common-sense leadership style with an enduring passion for securing our children's future, ensuring respect for parents and teachers, and building consensus without compromising values.