Profile Image

Shelly Downha, (Independent)

Trustee Area 1-School District #1 - - (11830)

5600 Kennedy Dr
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001-7416
Map It

Biography

I am an involved mother of three (ages 21, 18 and 16) and have been a part of LCSD1 since 2006 and have lived in Cheyenne since 2002. I am a Wyoming native and hold a BS in Communications from the University of Wyoming, and am currently a Licensed Realtor specializing in Property Management. Two of my children are South High graduates and one is a current Sophomore-all attending south triad schools.

I was born and raised in Laramie and after high school attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln as a student athlete. After retiring from athletics, I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the New York/New Jersey areas for 18 months. After completing this service call, I finished my degree at the University of Wyoming.

Experience

In the past 16 years, I have been involved in the school system at each level a parent can be- serving in elementary PTO, secondary parent advisory, district parent advisory, among volunteering countless hours with teachers, staff, coaches, fundraising and in classrooms. I was involved in the district discussions and town meetings when South High school was opening and the triads being formed and in petitioning LCSD1 School Board for the triad representation seats.

Education

University of Wyoming – BS Communications 1999
Certified Mediator – CDR Associates
Licensed Realtor since 2009

Community Activities and Memberships

LCSD1 Board of Transportation South triad rep
Cheyenne Board of Realtors
Chamber of Commerce
Parent Teacher Organizations – Sunrise Elementary
District Parent Advisory – Johnson Jr High

Why I am Running

I was instrumental in petitioning the school board for triad rep for the south triad. Historically no trustee on the school board has had a personal tie to or had kids attending south triad schools. Parent views regarding school issues aren’t always heard or validated, and are taken too lightly, in my opinion. A parent view with students currently in the district and who lives in the South triad, is needed to bring balance to the current board.

I am concerned about South side issues and how broad policies and practices affect this area of town. Each triad brings unique issues and need to be represented to have equal treatment, unity and respect across the district. LCSD1 is one district and should be serving the needs of community students to the best of their ability equally. Parent representation within the school board is essential. South Triad representation is crucial.

Top 3 Priorities

1. Represent South issues not just political stances.
School Board is technically non partisan because it serves a community not based on political stances. Every time parents or political groups bring these type of topics for the board to mitigate, it takes resources, time, focus and funds away from our children and their education.

2. Promote fair and equitable treatment among the triads.
Cheyenne is one town and one district with three different areas that feed into the schools. It's hard to make decisions for all when not all areas have a voice - therefore there becomes a discrepancy in what is fair and equitable - and south has been on the receiving end of not receiving "fair and equitable" treatment from boundary waivers to sports officiating to institutionalized roadblocks that limit its growth.

3. Provide Advocacy for Parents, Teachers and Students
I advocated for my children as they moved through the schools through being involved. What I learned is that teachers, students and parents haven't felt that anyone is advocating for them on a larger scale as they felt too removed from Administration and Board Trustees, actual issues affecting them, the classrooms and students haven't been considered or valued, even marginalized because no one making decisions really understands South side Cheyenne challenges and needs.