Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
  • Build your ballot before voting. Print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote.

We do not save your information; it will be lost when you leave this page. Only candidates that appear on your ballot will be listed. Additional information may be available for your area so be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for other voters’ guides.

Start Over

Voter Guide

SSD #1 School Board Member at Large

School board members oversee the care, management, and control of schools. This includes hiring, firing, and overseeing superintendents, who manage the day-to-day affairs of the district. They also set levies to fund the district and create school policies. Learn more here: Voting Local Matters: Why Vote for School Board | League of Women VotersIf your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info. If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from the LWVMN!A candidate forum for this race is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXA4ACRsmpc. More MN forums are available at https://www.lwvmn.org/2024-candidate-forums.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Kim Ellison
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Shayla Owodunni
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why?

If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy?

How can you as a board member and the Board as a whole help foster mutual respect between students, staff, and parents?

Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process.

{_btnLabelFor(compare1, _isInSelection(compare1))}
{_btnLabelFor(compare2, _isInSelection(compare2))}
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Campaign Website http://www.shaylaformps.com
Contact Phone (612) 685-4735
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/p/Shayla-for-MPS-School-Board-61561658253472/
Campaign Twitter Handle @shaylaformps
Campaign Email hello@shaylaformps.com
I am deeply committed to creating an inclusive and high-achieving educational environment in Minneapolis Public Schools. My hands-on experience as an Early Learning Corps volunteer has shown me the joys and challenges of our classrooms. With a background in corporate finance, IT governance, risk and compliance (IT GRC), and program management, I bring a strategic approach to budgeting and transparency. Serving on the Carlson School Alumni Board and co-chairing the Carlson 360 Network, I am a champion for enriching community and diverse perspectives. My passion for education is rooted in empowering our children to achieve greatness, regardless of circumstance. Together, I am confident we can build a brighter future for all MPS students.
Academic Achievement: Ensure every child excels in reading and math with evidence-based, engaging learning methods.

Community Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between schools, families, and local organizations, empowering parents and caregivers with effective tools and regular interactive sessions to equip homes with low-lift learning strategies.

Financial Integrity: Champion zero-based budgeting and comprehensive audits to use resources effectively and support students and teachers.
In facing budget cuts, my strategy would be to prioritize student-focused initiatives and essential services. Implementing zero-based budgeting will help identify areas where resources can be reallocated more effectively. I will engage with educators, parents, caregivers, and community members to understand their priorities and make informed decisions. Transparency and open communication will be key to ensuring that budget adjustments are made thoughtfully and equitably.
Fostering mutual respect starts with open communication and active listening. I will advocate for regular forums and advisory groups where students, staff, and parents/caregivers can share their perspectives and collaborate on solutions. Celebrating diversity, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued are essential. By working together and building trust, we can create a supportive and respectful educational community.
Engaging teachers and families in decision-making involves consistent and transparent communication. I will establish regular interactive sessions and forums to gather input and feedback. Creating advisory committees and leveraging existing parent-teacher associations will ensure diverse perspectives are considered. By actively involving educators and families, we can make informed decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of our community.
Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.