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School Board Trustee Zone 2
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Hello, I’m Cody Gilland, and I’m running for the Buhl School Board in Zone 2.
My wife and I own BonAFide Antlers here in town, and we have five kids—four enrolled in Buhl schools. I was asked by several people to run, and I felt it was time to lift where I stand and serve this community that’s welcomed us so warmly.
Before purchasing BonAFide, I spent more than 16 years in the tech industry in Utah, serving in leadership roles including Chief Revenue Officer. I’ve helped launch, grow, and manage several large companies. One of my roles was to advise the company's boards on strategy and data-driven decision making. Those same skills can help our schools.
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My goal for our schools is simple: help our students do better in reading and math, support our teachers, and make sure parents and community members always know what’s going on. I want Buhl’s students to perform above state and national averages and to build confidence in their abilities. I believe that when we listen, use data, and work together, we can make Buhl schools the best they can be.
Cody Gilland
Service
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How are you currently serving in Buhl? What past or current community activities have shaped your approach to leadership?​
Before moving to Idaho, I served on the Executive Advisory Board for FIRST Robotics in the Utah Region. I helped raise funds and build partnerships with large companies to support new teams, host competitions, and bring STEM activities to thousands of kids. I have also served in many youth programs within my church.
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Transparency
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How do you plan to address the community’s concerns about trust and transparency in local government decisions?
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I believe in open communication and keeping everyone on the same page. Coming from a tech background, I’m a big fan of using modern tools to keep the community informed—whether that’s better updates online, open forums, or other ways for people to ask questions and share feedback.
Division
How will you work to bridge divides in our community, especially among groups with differing views?
​I believe you can learn something from every conversation. When people disagree, that’s usually a good sign—it means people care. The key is to treat everyone with respect and really listen. I’ve seen time and again that when you bring folks together, talk it out, and use real data to guide decisions, the best ideas rise to the top and the whole community wins.
Public Input
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What role do you believe public input should play in your decision-making process if elected?
​​Public input should guide board decisions. The people of Buhl — especially parents and educators — know their students best. I value feedback and believe in using both community input and data to shape our path forward.
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Buhl Schools - Urgent Need
What is one specific issue facing Buhl Schools that you believe needs immediate attention, and how would you approach it?
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Our district needs to raise student success — especially in reading and math. I will focus on using research-backed strategies to improve these areas, and track results with real data. When we build strong readers and confident problem-solvers, everything else follows.​
Meeting Student Needs
How will you ensure the Buhl School District meets the needs of all students, including those from diverse or underserved backgrounds?
​​Every student deserves the chance to succeed. I believe in meeting kids where they are — with the right tools, teachers, and support to help them grow. That means using data to see what’s working, listening to teachers and families, and creating programs that serve all students.​​
Funding Priorities
School districts often face tough choices around funding. What priorities would guide your decisions about how to allocate resources in Buhl Schools and how would you address limited funding?
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Fiscal responsibility matters. Every dollar should have a purpose and make a real impact for students. I would invest where data shows the biggest effect, avoid waste, and be transparent. In both business and volunteer work, I’ve learned how to make community connections and find grants that help fill the financial gaps. I plan to bring that same mindset here to support and strengthen Buhl schools.​​