Colfax-Mingo School Board Election Candidates 2023

Name: Cody S. Dyer

Age: 51

Occupation: Pastor, First Baptist Church in Colfax

1. Please introduce yourself and explain why you are running for school board.

My name is Cody Dyer. Kim and I have been married for 28 years and have 2 children. Colby is 21 years old living and working in Nevada, Emily is 16 and a sophomore in Colfax. We moved to Colfax a little over a year ago from Wyoming. I have a bachelor's degree from Colorado State University in Agriculture Business, and a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. I currently serve as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Colfax.

I am running for school board because I believe it is important to care for and be involved in community. The future of public education rests upon responsible individuals being active in the decision-making process - ensuring a safe, healthy environment for teachers, staff, and students to be successful.

2. What’s the best quality of C-M schools? What can the district improve on?

a. In my “limited” knowledge from being involved this past year, the best quality of C-M is the optimistic outlook toward the future. The work and improvement of current facilities (football field, basketball, weightroom etc.). The promotional work by the superintendent all leads to a positive outlook and leads to a bright future.

b. This is where I lack knowledge. Through Emily’s freshman year and the beginning of this year we really have not dealt with any personal “improvement” needs. I would assume, within most school districts– communication, bullying, continued work in providing teachers and students with the tools to be successful; are always areas to improve upon.

3. What challenges do you see in public schools and how do you propose to address them?

a. The challenges public schools face are enormous. From well trained and quality staff, funding programs, to the overall moral decline of society presenting itself in the hallsnd classrooms. The challenge – how to create active learning environments all the while facing these challenges each year.

b. Addressing these problems begins with people wanting to be here. Why would quality teachers want to work in C-M? Why would students and athletes want to come to a small town? Addressing these problems begin with support and facilities. Constant improvement on facilities will bring people. Support and backing of the teachers in the classroom will encourage them. The moral decline of society is inevitable, making clear guidelines on what is expected from staff and students is imperative. When students or staff choose not to follow, immediate consequences must be enforced.

4. Where would you like to see C-M grow?

a. I don’t know. Only being here for a year limits me on full understanding and knowledge of the schools needs and shortcomings. If given the opportunity to serve on the board,I’m sure issues will come to the fore front on specific needs that are not being met, or that need to be pursued for growth.

5. What is the parent’s role in the educational system?

a. The parent’s role and involvement in their children’s education is paramount. This plays into one of the problems schools in general face. The moral decline of society. That begins in the home. The parents need to be involved in their children’s education and extracurricular activities. It is not the school’s responsibility to raise their children for them. The school’s responsibility is to provide the platform for them to have the opportunity to learn, thus becoming productive members of society. The parents’ role is to support the administration and teachers - being active in the decision-making process where applicable. This is the main reason I feel compelled to run for the board.

6. What other school issues are you passionate about?

a. My passion perhaps stems from who I am and what I do. I am a Christian conservative father that cares deeply for our kids today. The public school in America has been the victim of agendas. The sexualization of America and the Liberal push to bring this into our kids lives through their k-12 education. There is no place in schools (should be no place in schools) for this. Schools need to fight to hold onto the foundations of education, teaching: history, math, English, science etc.… providing education in the arts, choir, music, auto-shop, construction and so on. As people are leaving the big cities looking for a “simpler, cleaner” life in small communities, our schools are going to grow. Real world issues will always be walking through the doors. It will be hard, but we must work toward and strive for top-notch education in a small school setting.