About the candidate
Dr. Paul Bankes
A lifelong educator and Cheyenne resident running to keep our public schools strong, well-led, and focused on every child.
As a career educator I have seen and experienced the struggles as well as the incredible successes of many school districts. I understand and appreciate the efforts needed by all stakeholders to develop an outstanding school district. The current state of public education may be the most challenging I have seen. We struggle to raise student achievement for all students. We struggle to engage the larger community in a compelling vision of what is possible. We struggle to establish a positive and inspiring work environment. Rather than sit on the sidelines, I want to be actively involved as a School Board Trustee as we strive to provide an excellent school district that prepares students to create and seize opportunities for life success, and that supports a safe community.
My story
I'm a lifelong educator with deep Wyoming roots. I graduated from Sheridan High School, earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Wyoming, and went on to complete a master's and doctorate in Educational Leadership at Texas Tech University. My wife of 29 years, Carla — a Cheyenne native and registered dietitian who serves as Child Nutrition Program Supervisor at the Wyoming Department of Education — and I returned home to Wyoming five years ago. We have two daughters: one attending medical school at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and the other pursuing a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Wyoming. I am proud of my family's decades of Wyoming construction work, oil and gas development, and ranching.
For more than thirty years, I've championed public education as an elementary teacher, middle school principal, elementary principal, and Executive Director of Elementary Education. As a principal, I led my teams to state-recognized levels of achievement in three different high-poverty, academically challenged schools, and I continue to teach college-level education courses today. I still serve as an educational consultant, trainer, and instructor. I'm running to bring that experience home — to serve our district, our students, and our teachers, while engaging parents, businesses, and our whole community in the work of strong schools.
My background isn't only in the classroom. In addition to my educational career, I was a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and today I serve as chief financial officer of Monteforte Group, LLC. That financial and business experience is exactly what our district needs as it works through serious budget challenges — and it's experience I'll put to work making careful, responsible fiscal decisions for LCSD1.
- 30+ years championing public education
- Successfully turned around three academically challenged schools
- Former teacher, principal, district-level administrator, and board trustee
- 25+ years as a consultant and professional-development trainer for schools nationwide through the Foundation for Critical Thinking
- Business and finance background — formerly a Certified Financial Planner, currently CFO of Monteforte Group, LLC
- Married 29 years, with two daughters
Audrey (daughter) and Julia (daughter). University of Wyoming pinning ceremony for Julia.
Quick facts
Prior service: One term as a school board trustee
Community: Lion's Club, Boys & Girls Club, University of Wyoming Library Advisory Board
Why I'm running: Every child deserves an education that paves the way to success, dignity, and self-reliance — and I want to put thirty years of experience to work making that real for LCSD1.
Off the clock
My family & our life in Cheyenne
A few photos of the people (and pets) who keep me grounded.
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