As part of our commitment to keeping Frisco residents informed and engaged, we sent a candidate questionnaire to all the individuals running for the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees using the contact information provided on their website. We appreciate those who took the time to respond and provide thoughtful responses. Unfortunately, Renee Sample and Ange Yao also running for Place 2, chose not to reply.

Full Name: Melanie Barrios Jones

Campaign Website and Social Media Links: www.jones4fisd.com facebook.com/jones4fisd

Occupation and Background: Self Employed, Former Financial Advisor

Prior to running, how have you been involved in the community?

I have been involved in multiple ISD committees including being one of the first people chosen for the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. I was one of 8 parents chosen to present to teachers, admin and paraprofessionals for the first ever Behavior Symposium on what it’s likie being a parent of a special needs child. I was also on the Parent Panel that evaluated Standards based grading. Additionally I was on the District Advisory Council and was part of the Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum sub-committee. I also sit on the board for The Frisco Bowl, Leadership Council for The National Small Business Association and have been President of multiple networking groups.

What experience or skills do you have that will make you a great board member?

I think I excel at asking questions in a unique way that garner answers the average person wouldn’t get. Because of my financial background, business mindset and strategic approach, I think I can help foster relationships, handle challenging situations and stand firm in the face of adversity. My decades of experience in the corporate world and as a small business owner have helped me gain knowledge in human capital, changing financial markets, sales, management, training, marketing and branding. Education is a business and it needs to be treated as such. Gone are the days of running districts as if they have a blank check coming from the community. We need people like me who will take a business centered approach and reinstitute a culture of hospitality back into our ISD. Besides being a business, education is a service and we need to remember our clients are our students and our teachers.

What are the 3 most critical issues facing the district today?

This is a fascinating question because as I was preparing for my run back in December I was focused on what my top three issues should be and I boldly put them on my street signs. It’s as if I was clairvoyant with Fiscal Responsibility, School Safety and District Transparency. But we can’t stop there. The level of rigor of our curriculum is declining along with our enrollment. We have teachers in AP classes that don’t know the curriculum and the students are forced to learn on their own. This was just confirmed at the South Asian Business Alliance yesterday, 4/19/21, by a student in the audience when I brought it up!

How do you plan to address these issues?

🔹 Fiscal Responsibility

Our community deserves a school district that treats every dollar like it matters — because it does.
As a former financial adviser and small business owner, I know how to manage budgets and make smart, sustainable decisions. On the board, I’ll:

• Push for clear, detailed, line-item budgets the public can easily understand.
  • Hold district leadership accountable for overspending and inefficiencies.
  • Prioritize classroom funding over bloated administrative costs.

Have a teacher centered budget

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🔹 School Safety

Parents should never have to wonder if their kids are safe at school — period.
I will work to ensure our safety policies are strong, consistent, and transparent. That means:

• Conducting regular reviews of safety protocols across all campuses.
  • Working with law enforcement and safety experts to implement best practices, not just checklists. I have a great relationship with our current Frisco police chief
  • Ensuring mental health resources are available and accessible for students in crisis.
  • Listening to teachers, students, and parents about what safety really means on the ground.

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🔹 District Transparency

You can’t have trust without transparency.
I’ll fight to make Frisco ISD more open, honest, and responsive by:

• Requiring timely public communication from the board and superintendent — especially in emergencies.
  • Demanding that decisions (like school closures, rezoning, or leadership hires) are made with community input, not behind closed doors.
  • Supporting regular Q&A sessions and open forums with board members. I think doing 2-3 of these town halls per year will increase community engagement and trust.
  • Publishing clear explanations of board votes and policy changes so families know what’s really happening.

Do you support ESA’s and Senate Bill 2?

No I do not. They come with too many strings and is not truly the educational freedom that people are looking for.

It is crucial to maintain the financial health and integrity of the Frisco ISD community. Parents believe the need for transparency and accountability is at an all-time high in the district. Would you support a official Forensic Audit of the district’s finances by an independent 3^rd party?

Yes, I fully support a forensic audit of Frisco ISD.

Transparency and accountability are at the heart of effective leadership — and right now, many in our community are losing trust in how our district manages its finances. A forensic audit isn’t just about identifying fraud or mismanagement; it’s about restoring public confidence, increasing fiscal responsibility, and ensuring our tax dollars are truly serving our students.

As a former financial adviser, I understand the difference between a routine audit and a forensic audit. A forensic audit digs deeper — it’s a detailed, investigative look at how money is being spent, how contracts are awarded, and whether financial practices align with district policies and ethical standards. It’s not about politics or pointing fingers — it’s about getting answers and setting a higher standard moving forward.

I believe a forensic audit should:

• Identify wasteful or questionable spending
  • Ensure procurement and contracting processes are fair, legal, and transparent
  • Provide clarity on large expenditures that have raised public concerns
  • Give taxpayers and families the transparency they deserve

This isn’t a criticism of every employee or administrator in FISD. It’s about making sure the system is clean, efficient, and trustworthy — and if it isn’t, then we fix it.

A district with a $900M+ annual budget should welcome this level of scrutiny — not fear it. If elected, I will be a voice at the table pushing to make a forensic audit happen and to ensure its findings are made public in full.

Because at the end of the day, it’s your money, and you deserve to know exactly how it’s being used.

Do you believe the current districts’ disciplinary procedures are acceptable or do you believe we need to update our procedures for discipline and safety?

Yes, I absolutely believe our behavior policies need to be updated.

As a parent and a community member, I’ve seen and heard far too many stories of disruptive behavior, violence, and a lack of accountability in our schools. Our current policies are inconsistent, outdated, and in some cases, ineffective — and that’s putting both students and teachers at risk.

We need behavior policies that:

• Are clear, consistent, and enforced across all campuses
  • Support teachers and administrators in maintaining safe, respectful learning environments
  • Include real consequences for serious misconduct — not just vague warnings or delayed action
  • Provide pathways for intervention and support, especially for students dealing with trauma or mental health challenges
  • Protect the learning experience for students who come to school ready to grow and succeed

Updating our discipline policies isn’t about being overly punitive — it’s about setting high expectations, enforcing boundaries, and creating a school culture rooted in respect, safety, and responsibility.

I believe in restoring order, protecting students and staff, and giving schools the tools they need to act decisively. Our educators deserve better. Our families deserve better. And most of all — our students deserve schools where they can learn without fear or chaos.

If elected, I will push for a comprehensive review and overhaul of the current behavior code — with input from teachers, parents, students, and law enforcement where appropriate. It’s time for a reset.

What do you believe needs to happen with Staley Middle School and how should this be handled?

Staley Middle School should have been repaired or rebuilt seven years ago, just as the district promised. Instead, teachers, staff, and students have been forced to endure unacceptable conditions — mold, leaking ceilings so bad it rains inside when it rains outside, and lead-contaminated water from outdated pipes. This is not just a facilities issue — it’s a failure of leadership, planning, and basic human decency.

No school in Frisco — or anywhere — should ever fall into this kind of disrepair. That this situation was allowed to continue for years is beyond comprehension, and those responsible for delaying action must be held accountable.

But this is not just about Staley. It’s about how we make decisions in this district. We’re told the school may close due to low enrollment, but that’s only part of the story. I believe a deeper dive is needed — one that looks beyond the numbers and into the real-world impacts:

• How many students actually walk to Staley?
  • How will closures affect transportation, safety, and family logistics?
  • What role is declining district trust playing in enrollment drops?
  • Why are families choosing to leave Frisco ISD — and what are we doing about it?

Until the district is willing to ask hard questions and listen to the community, we’ll be stuck in this cycle — and Staley won’t be the last school on the chopping block.

We need long-term vision, not short-term fixes. We need leadership that prioritizes student health, staff safety, and honest dialogue with families. And we need to rebuild trust, starting with the way we treat the people and places at the heart of our school system.

Do you have knowledge of Roberts’ Rules and Board Meeting Decorum?

 Yes. During my tenure on the board for the Long Beach Jaycees, we used Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure at every meeting. Plus I have the book.

What efforts or changes could be made to increase decisive leadership and improve community trust during board meetings?

Strengthening Leadership and Rebuilding Trust Starts at the Board Table

Frisco ISD families deserve leadership that listens, acts, and communicates clearly. Right now, many community members feel shut out of the process — their voices are limited, their questions go unanswered, and meetings often feel performative rather than productive.

To increase decisive leadership and rebuild trust, I believe we need to make immediate and meaningful changes, including:

🔹 Expand Public Speaking Time:
Parents and community members shouldn’t feel rushed when voicing concerns. I will advocate for longer and more flexible speaking times during board meetings to ensure every voice is heard — not hurried.

🔹 Introduce a “Student Corner”:
At each board meeting, a rotating group of students should be given the chance to speak about their experiences, achievements, and concerns. If we’re making decisions about them, they deserve a seat at the table.

🔹 Hold Regular Community Town Halls (2–3 times/year):
The board should proactively engage with families, educators, and students outside of formal meetings. Scheduled town halls would create a space for real dialogue, listening sessions, and collaborative problem-solving.

🔹 Mandate Superintendent Communication Policy:
The Superintendent should not have the option to go silent during times of crisis or confusion. The board must implement a clear policy that defines when, how, and how quickly the Superintendent communicates with the public. This must be tied to their performance goals — because transparency is not optional.

If elected, I will push for a culture of respect, responsiveness, and results. No more confusion. No more closed doors. Just honest leadership that brings the community in, not pushes it out.

Lastly, anything you want voters to know about you!

I love this district with all my heart. It’s given so much to my family, and I believe in what Frisco ISD can be at its best. But I also know that not every family has had the same experience — and that pains me deeply. No parent should feel unheard. No student should feel unsafe. No teacher should feel unsupported. That’s why I’m running.

I’m not here for a title or a spotlight. I’m here because I believe in service, and because I want every child — in every corner of this district — to have the opportunity to thrive. I want to elevate students, support families, and help make decisions that restore trust and strengthen our schools.

This is about doing what’s right, not what’s easy. I’m ready to show up, listen, lead, and stand up for what matters most — our kids.