Kara Kretchmer, a parent of eight and long-time volunteer in the Alpine School District, said she is running for Seat C7 on the newly formed Timpanogos School District board to "do what I've done for the past 35 years" supporting students and easing burdens on classroom teachers.

Kretchmer said her immediate responsibilities as a board member would be to adopt policies, hire a superintendent and a business manager, and take a clear inventory of the district's finances. "We will be responsible for, finding a superintendent. We will be responsible in finding a business manager," she said, adding the board must "figure out where we are financially, where the money's coming from, where it's going." She emphasized prioritizing repairs and safety upgrades by urgency, citing Pleasant Grove High School as a building that needs "much repair and seismic upgrades."

Why it matters: The Timpanogos district is newly formed and must divide assets, negotiate with neighboring districts and set a budget while beginning operations. Kretchmer framed transparency around tax dollars as central to earning voter trust: "If taxes need to be raised, it will become a discussion. It will be presented, so that everybody has an input and know what's going on and why." She advised residents to check their property-tax notices to see how much is earmarked for education.

On district boundaries and school size, Kretchmer said a boundary study should precede any decisions about closures or grade reconfigurations. "A boundary study is long overdue," she said, adding a preference for smaller neighborhood schools because they foster community and let teachers spend more direct time with students. "I'm not a fan of the humongous buildings," she said.

Kretchmer said the new district must also address tax-increment financing arrangements that reduce near-term property-tax revenue. She said she would support renegotiating or postponing community development agency (CDA) or redevelopment agency (RDA) provisions if that helps the new district obtain revenue to repair and operate schools. "If it means that we have to renegotiate so that they're paying more in taxes, by all means, I'm gonna vote for that," she said.

Special education and partnerships: The candidate acknowledged the loss of the Dan Peterson special-needs program to the new district and called for immediate planning to maintain services. "Those particular children have a soft spot for me," she said. Kretchmer said she is open to sharing services with neighboring districts or partnering with charter or private programs that specialize in areas such as autism to reduce disruption for vulnerable students.

Classroom management, curriculum and library materials: Kretchmer told the forum she supports a classroom focus on core subjects and said personal political views have no place in classroom instruction. "Their personal life, and their personal ideologies should not be in a public school classroom," she said, adding that policy should address instances when staff push political positions. On library materials, she said she does not support wholesale book bans but favors "age-appropriate materials" and would object to graphic novels she considers unsuitable for school libraries without parental supervision.

Student conduct and extracurriculars: Kretchmer strongly supports the legislature's recent rule restricting cell phones in classrooms, saying students she asked reported fewer distractions and improved focus. On sports participation, she said she would follow state law and does not support biological males competing on girls' teams in public schools. She proposed family/unisex restrooms as an option for privacy but said locker rooms and girls' teams should be reserved for biological females unless state law changes.

Academic supports: Kretchmer emphasized early literacy interventions, one-on-one reading assistance and use of teacher aides to help children who fall behind. She said retention is a last-resort tool but is open to it if necessary to ensure grade-level competencies. She also supports programs for advanced learners (ALL) and classroom-level leveling so students can work at the appropriate instructional level.

Career and technical education: Kretchmer praised regional technical programs such as Emtek and Utah Tech as affordable pathways to careers in trades and health occupations that can lead directly to employment after short-term coursework.

Campaign and next steps: Kretchmer said she plans to listen to parents and be transparent about tax and budget decisions. She provided a campaign website, karaforschoolboard7.info, and encouraged voters to review tax notices and district proposals before supporting any tax increases.

Quotation highlights: "I saw a need," Kretchmer said of her decision to run. On cell phones: "I love that policy." On charter schools: "If they are completely at a loss and we honestly cannot provide what they're looking for, then sure, I'd be willing to help them, do what's best for their kids."