Kalyn Cody

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Kalyn Cody

Nonpartisan

Prior offices

Des Moines Public Schools School Board District 2

Successor: Jenna Knox

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Education

Bachelor's

Luther College, 2005

Graduate

University of Northern Iowa, 2013

Personal

Birthplace

La Crosse, Wis.

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Kalyn Cody was a member of the Des Moines Public Schools school board in Iowa, representing District 2. Cody assumed office on November 19, 2019. Cody left office on November 16, 2021.

Cody ran in a special election to the Des Moines Public Schools school board to represent District 2 in Iowa. Cody won in the special general election on November 5, 2019.

Cody completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Kalyn Cody was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Cody earned a bachelor's degree from Luther College in 2005 and a master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2013. Cody has been affiliated with the New Leaders Council of Des Moines as a co-chair of finance.

Elections

2019

See also: Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa, elections (2019)

General election

Special general election for Des Moines Public Schools School Board District 2

Kalyn Cody won election in the special general election for Des Moines Public Schools School Board District 2 on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kalyn Cody (Nonpartisan)	97.6	3,232
		Other/Write-in votes	2.4	81

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,313
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kalyn Cody completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cody's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Kalyn Cody started his career in education as an elementary and middle school math teacher. His teaching career began in a small desert town in California, followed by a stint in Phoenix, Arizona, before settling in Des Moines, Iowa. While teaching at Goodrell Middle School in Des Moines, he also served as a Building Association Representative for the Des Moines Education Association. After more than a decade as a classroom educator, Kalyn moved to Iowa State University Extension & Outreach where he works as a Family Finance Specialist, going out into the community to help his neighbors acquire the skills they need to reach their goals.

Kalyn received his Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (Education of the Gifted) from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He holds an Iowa Master Educator License with endorsements including K-6 elementary classroom, 5-8 middle school generalist, and pk-12 Talented and Gifted.

Kalyn lives in Des Moines with his wife, Tess, and their newborn daughter, Etta. In his free time, Kalyn likes to kayak, read, and play sports and games (particularly soccer). His body often tells him that it is time for a few less strenuous hobbies, but he owns plenty of ice packs.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Decrease class size
• Retain quality teachers and staff
• Expand opportunity for Pre-K education to all students in Des Moines

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Currently, I am most passionate about education policy. I also care deeply about issues involving gun violence and renewable/clean energy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I feel that the most important characteristics of elected officials are open-mindedness, curiosity, and integrity. Public officials need to be willing to adapt with new information, seek out additional information to make informed decisions, and have enough integrity to follow through on their word.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have much experience in public schools of various sizes and in various locations (I have worked in small, rural schools and huge, urban schools). I am always seeking knowledge and analyze problems in a way that identifies the underlying causes. I believe in cooperation and collaboration and endeavor to achieve collective good.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Dune, by Frank Herbert. The plot is incredibly dense, the world-building is extraordinary, the character development is always interesting (especially if you follow the sequels), and the action and political intrigue is fascinating.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary job of a school board member is to ensure that the district, through the superintendent, is following through on and making progress toward, our stated goals and objectives. It is our job to ask questions and be informed on issues pertaining to the district's business in order to best serve our students, staff, and teachers.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2019 Elections

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Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

Des Moines Public Schools School Board District 2

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