Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley
Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley was an at-large member of the Des Moines Public Schools school board in Iowa. Shelley assumed office on September 19, 2017. Shelley left office on November 16, 2021.
Shelley ran for re-election for an at-large seat of the Des Moines Public Schools school board in Iowa. Shelley won in the general election on September 12, 2017.
Shelley won a first term in the at-large general election on September 12, 2017.
Shelley participated in Ballotpedia's 2017 Des Moines school board candidate survey. Click here to read her responses.
Biography
Shelley has worked as a teacher-librarian. She helped organize the Iowa Women’s March in Des Moines in January 2017.[1][2]
Elections
2017
Four of the seven seats on the Des Moines Public Schools school board in Iowa were up for nonpartisan general election on September 12, 2017. The race for the two at-large seats on the board included incumbent Rob Barron and challengers Louisa Dykstra and Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley. Barron won another term on the board, and Shelley won the other at-large seat, which was left open by incumbent Connie Boesen, who instead ran for the Des Moines City Council. In their bids for re-election to the District 2 and District 4 seats, incumbents Dionna Langford and Teree Caldwell-Johnson ran unopposed and won additional terms on the board.[3][4][5]
Results
| Des Moines Public Schools, At-large General Election, 4-year terms, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Rob Barron Incumbent |
37.71% | 3,791 |
| Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley |
31.30% | 3,147 |
| Louisa Dykstra | 29.94% | 3,010 |
| Write-in votes | 1.05% | 106 |
| Total Votes | 10,054 | |
| Source: Polk County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, "School Election Tuesday, September 12, 2017: Official Results," accessed September 18, 2017 | ||
Funding
Shelley reported $9,688.00 in contributions and $9,529.81 in expenditures to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, which left her campaign with $158.19 on hand in the election.[6]
Endorsements
Shelley was endorsed by the Des Moines Education Association, the South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and the Iowa Women for Progressive Change Political Action Committee.[7][8][9]
Campaign themes
2017
Ballotpedia candidate survey
Shelley participated in a survey created by Ballotpedia in partnership with USATalk and the Interactivity Foundation. The survey was created after online discussions of Des Moines voters and residents were conducted to discuss their ideas for the school district. The survey questions appear bolded, and Shelley's responses follow below.
What are the benefits or strengths of an increasingly diverse student body?
| “ | As educators, we talk about preparing students for a global, twenty-first century economy. The students in Des Moines Public Schools live this every day in their classrooms. They have the opportunity to interact with students that come from different backgrounds, hold different beliefs, have different opinions, and come from differing family structures among others. Our students won’t be surprised by a workplace with diverse individuals and will know how to navigate and communicate in these future workplaces with ease. We know we are preparing students to join an ever diverse workplace, often in roles and positions that haven’t even been created yet. The diversity in Des Moines helps to prepare students to be competitive and successful in long after graduation.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[11] | ||
How will you retain and support good teachers as they are being recruited to other states?
| “ | Des Moines has dedicated, highly-qualified and trained teachers and staff at every level. We want to keep these staff in Des Moines working with our students. These teachers can be recruited by selling the great work happening in Des Moines and creating agency and buy-in from future prospective employees by describing the impact they can have on kids every day in the district. Further, Des Moines can continue to offer top salaries and benefits to all employees to ensure that staff can continue to do the work they are dedicated to with the dignity they need to take care of their families. Further, giving our teachers high quality professional development that gives them professional license to apply this work in their classroom and direct the work of their teams is important. We hired our teachers and staff to do a job, and need to give them the professional authority to do what’s best for kids. They are the most qualified to make these decisions as they are in the classrooms and schools with kids every day. As a board member, I will trust they are doing this work and support policy that allows them to make these professional decisions for the benefit of our students and community.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[11] | ||
Teachers have lost their bargaining rights. Will you support the teacher’s union even as the budget tightens?
| “ | Absolutely. Schools run because of the quality people that work with our students every day. Our schools are only as great as the staff that works within them. When we give out staff the dignity they need to take care of their families and the professional trust and license to do what’s best for the kids in their classrooms, we show that we value them. Respecting the collective bargaining process is one of the most American, democratic processes we have. Collective bargaining is about adults sitting across table from one another, discussing the issues at hand, and reaching a compromise. This is a great process to model for our students: all voices are valuable and should be respected. All work and persons are important, and in Des Moines, we take care of our neighbors.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[11] | ||
How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?
| “ | As a potential at-large representative, I have been working on creating relationships with community groups and listening to their stories and experiences. I also have been reaching out to local unions and their associated businesses, community non-profits, neighborhood groups, local legislators, and community leaders. It is through conversation with these leaders that truth about the groups and communities they represent can be brought to the board. Ongoing relationship building and coalition is a key priority. Meeting parents and community members where they are, from National Night out in the King neighborhood to community dinners in River Bend to meeting with and talking with parents in neighborhoods across the city, these are the important relationships I am dedicated to building. I want to truly be a representative for all, and this is why I’m dedicated to running At-Large for the Des Moines School Board.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[11] | ||
The Des Moines Register questionnaire
Shelley participated in the following questionnaire conducted by The Des Moines Register. The questions provided by the newspaper appear bolded, and Shelley's responses follow below.
What is the biggest challenge facing Des Moines Schools?
| “ | Our schools serve a vibrant community with many races, ethnicities, cultures, socioeconomic statuses, and beliefs. We must create inclusive and welcoming environments for all students. Our schools should be the community centers of our neighborhoods. Kids supported by strong communities have the greatest chance to succeed, in school and life.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[12] | ||
What are your top three priorities if elected?
| “ |
|
” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[12] | ||
What is your view on the proposal to change school start times in Des Moines?
| “ | The research supports adjusting start times to those previously presented, however, we need to ensure that we are making the best decisions for every student’s educational needs. Once we have a plan that fits those needs, this is a decision that can make an positive impact on our kids’ education.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[12] | ||
What is your view on the proposal to change school start times for Smouse and Van Meter schools?
| “ | We need to do what’s best for all of our kids. If what’s best for our students at Smouse and Van Meter is keeping their current schedule, then this is what we need to do to ensure students have the best educational atmosphere for their learning.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[12] | ||
Why are you running for Des Moines School Board?
| “ | I realized voices like mine were missing. We currently have one teacher serving on the School Board. As a progressive, multiracial educator, I decided I couldn’t talk about the issues in our community. I needed to roll up my sleeves, jump in, and contribute more meaningfully to our kids’ futures.[10] | ” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[12] | ||
Candidate website
Shelley highlighted the following issues on her campaign website:
| “ | Literacy As a teacher librarian, I've seen how crucial literacy is for student success. We must support literacy initiatives and programs that deliver opportunities to students in every neighborhood of Des Moines. Information literacy, as well as reading proficiency, are tools our kids must have as a foundation for success in today's fast paced environment.
|
” |
| —Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley (2017)[1] | ||
See also
External links
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Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kyrstin for School Board, "Why I'm Running," accessed August 8, 2017
- ↑ The Des Moines Register, "In the Trump era, Iowa Democrats are energized but still seeking unity," July 3, 2017
- ↑ Des Moines Public Schools, "2017 School Board Candidates," accessed August 4, 2017
- ↑ The Des Moines Register, "Longtime Des Moines school board member Connie Boesen to challenge Skip Moore for at-large City Council seat," May 31, 2017
- ↑ Polk County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, "School Election Tuesday, September 12, 2017: Unofficial Results," accessed September 12, 2017
- ↑ Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, "IECDB State/Local Campaign Disclosure Reports," accessed January 22, 2018
- ↑ Facebook, "Des Moines Education Association post August 14, 2017," accessed August 23, 2017
- ↑ Facebook, "Kyrstin for Des Moines School Board post August 16, 2017," accessed August 23, 2017
- ↑ Iowa Women for Progressive Change, "First PAC Endorsements Announced," August 23, 2017
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Ballotpedia's 2017 Des Moines School Board Candidate Survey, "Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley's responses," August 22, 2017]
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 The Des Moines Register, "Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley: Des Moines School Board candidate," August 31, 2017
| Des Moines Public Schools elections in 2017 | |
| Polk County, Iowa | |
| Election date: | September 12, 2017 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Incumbent, Rob Barron • Louisa Dykstra • Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley District 2: • Incumbent, Dionna Langford District 4: • Incumbent, Teree Caldwell-Johnson |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
