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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Weber School Board - Distict 3

Elected school board officials should advocate and appeal to the public education needs of the district and county they represent. They help determine how much funding schools receive, create plans to better the education system, and work to encourage student achievement.Term: 4 Years

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    Katie Wahlquist
    (NPar)

Biographical Information

Why are you running for this office? What motivates you?

What are the top 3 issues facing Weber County schools right now, and what would you do about them?

What experience do you bring that prepares you for this role?

What approach do you think the school district should take to the selection of books for school libraries?

How do you think the school district should address the fact that 45% of Weber students are proficient in English language arts and 37.6% of Weber students are proficient in math?

How will you keep the public informed about your decisions and votes?

Education Weber State University
E-Mail Address katiewahlq@gmail.com
US Phone Number 801-668-7908
It’s all about the schools for me.

I believe deeply in public education and in the way our classrooms shape both individual lives and our community as a whole. Strong public schools are the foundation of a successful community both today and tomorrow, but they don't happen by accident. They require thoughtful leadership, responsible stewardship of resources, and a commitment to ensuring all students have the opportunity to thrive.

My focus is not on politics or agendas, but on students, educators, and investing in our community's future. It takes a village to raise a child, and public education is one of the most important parts of that village. I'm ready to step up as one of the "villagers" in this space. My heart is fully in this work.
1. Enrollment shifts and funding challenges: As enrollment changes, we must make data-driven decisions that maximize resources, use taxpayer dollars responsibly, and offer innovative in-district options that meet needs while retaining students. 2. Improving student outcomes: Targeted interventions, clear accountability, and ongoing evaluation to ensure resources are making a difference. Address additional barriers and ensure all students have support. 3. Strengthening public trust: Communication and transparency concerns are topics I hear a lot about from families, staff, and community members. Clear info on district decisions, taxes, facilities, construction, spending, and priorities is essential to building trust in schools.
For the past 20 years, I've done one simple thing in Weber School District: shown up. From PTA to reading tutor, disability advocate to prom chaperone, curriculum committees to science fairs, I've spent two decades supporting students, educators, and schools.

My experience working for an education nonprofit and building community partnerships will be valuable, but my greatest qualification is being a mom of students in WSD. I've navigated both traditional and Special Education classrooms and understand that board decisions aren't just policies on paper, they affect real students and families. When we invest in children and support educators, we strengthen our entire community. (And yes, I also love school cafeteria peanut butter bars!)
WSD's responsibility is to follow state and federal law while maintaining library collections that support student learning and reflect the needs of each school's student population. Trained school librarians, working in partnership with school staff and parents, are well qualified to select materials that are age-appropriate, educationally relevant, and representative of a variety of perspectives. Parents always retain the right to have a voice in their own child's education, including the ability to request alternative materials or restrict access to specific titles for their student. This approach respects parental rights while ensuring that library collections can meet the diverse interests and needs of the broader student population.
Improving student achievement requires clear goals, targeted support, and ongoing accountability. This includes school success plans, evidence-based interventions, and measurable outcomes to ensure resources are "moving the needle" for all student populations. This work aligns with Weber School District’s Elevate 28 plan and should remain a priority. Programs and initiatives should be reviewed using student outcome data so we can identify what is working, expand successful strategies, and make adjustments when results fall short of expectations. Our goal should be continuous improvement and ensuring that every investment of time, effort, and taxpayer resources is helping more students succeed.
This is one of the most important responsibilities of an elected official! School board members should be visible, engaged, and accessible, serving as a bridge between schools and the community. For me, that means regularly visiting the schools in my area, building relationships with students, staff, and families, and listening to the people most directly affected by board decisions. The best conversations often happen outside of formal meetings, when you show up, attend school events, and spend time where students, educators, and families already are. This is something I am already doing and will continue to do. I will also regularly share updates online and always welcome emails, phone calls, and conversations.