Amy Shandy, the president of Academy District 20’s Board of Education, announced Thursday that she will step down because she and her husband Ty will move out of state for a job he recently accepted.

Fighting back tears, she called serving on the board “an honor.” The board’s Sept. 3 meeting will be her last.

Shandy handed the president’s gavel to Vice President Susan Payne, who called Shandy “inspirational.”

“The immense amount of burden and time spent — I don’t think anyone has any idea how much is put in as a volunteer board member, especially as president,” Payne said. “So, your leadership and dedication and commitment to the children of District 20 will go on for years to come.”

Shandy was elected to the board in 2023 and has served as its president since 2025 after then-President Aaron Salt resigned to serve as interim superintendent of Woodland Park School District RE-2. During her tenure, the board passed an $83 million bond in 2024 and the district maintained its status as one of the state’s top academic performers.

She previously worked as a speech pathologist at the Shandy Clinic she co-founded with her husband, volunteered with the global missionary nonprofit Compel Global and coached soccer and basketball. Both of her sons graduated from Air Academy High School.  

The board has 60 days to fill the vacancy, according to state law. If it is unable to appoint a new member within that time frame, then the board president will unilaterally make the appointment. The appointee will serve the remainder of Shandy’s term through November 2027.

D-20 Interim Superintendent Susan Field thanked Shandy for her service.

“I know all of us that work closely with the board know what a commitment of time it is … to do this incredibly important job,” she said. “So, thank you to all of you for serving on our board, but, Amy, thank you. You will be missed.”