Julie Walker, a candidate for Seat 4 in the proposed new school district that would cover Orem, Linden, Pleasant Grove and Vineyard (working name "Timpanogos"), told interviewer Bridal she plans to focus on hiring a strong superintendent and business administrator, reviewing district policies and negotiating local revenue agreements that she said undercut school funding.

"I want to create a place that our kids can thrive, our teachers can thrive, our families can feel part of a community, and our parents can feel heard and seen," Walker said, describing why she is running and how her PTA and small-business background shape her approach.

Walker said a top priority in the board's first 100 days would be a full boundary study to address uneven school capacities and closures carried over from Alpine School District. She noted that some area high schools have shrunk considerably while others remain small and walkable, and that the district should use capacity data to rebalance enrollment.

On school safety, Walker pointed to past local measures such as volunteer parent "watchdogs," secured exterior doors and student reporting. She cited a recent incident in which a student reported a weapon and staff stabilized the scene within minutes, and urged continued emphasis on both physical security and a culture that encourages students to report concerns.

Walker also addressed teacher support and retirement, saying many long-serving educators lack adequate savings. She backed keeping Alpine's early-retirement stipend and offering retirement-planning help for employees who "don't even know how to log in to the URS and check their 401(k)," recommending annual sessions to help staff review benefits.

On district finances, Walker urged renegotiating local redevelopment and community-development agreements she said divert substantial property-tax revenue away from schools. "Back in 2011, 2012, there was an RDA…that says 75% of all property taxes collected go back to the developer," she said, using Vineyard as an example. Walker said dissolution of Alpine creates leverage to reopen negotiations with municipalities and developers so more revenue remains available for education.

Walker described the currently proposed state formula for dividing assets and liabilities as unfair to Orem, saying assets are split by student count while liabilities are split by property value. "We will walk away with our real estate, and we will be real estate rich. We won't be cash rich," she said, arguing the allocation should be revisited with legislators.

Transportation and student access also drew attention. Walker said boundary shifts could require new bus routes; she described a past effort in which parents asked her to facilitate a bus to bring children safely to school and breakfast programs, and she said meeting that need increased attendance.

Walker said the new district should develop its own special-education capacity where feasible. She noted vacant elementary buildings in the area that could be repurposed and recommended electing a board member skilled at grant writing to secure nonrecurring funds to stand up an in-district special-education facility.

On curriculum and school structure, Walker supported moving ninth grade to high school so principals could "own" ninth-grade outcomes from the start and align athletics and schedules. She also advocated stronger career and technical education, proposing a CTE/STEM high school model that would combine technical programs (for example, UCAS or Emtek-style offerings) with industry partnerships.

Walker said capital projects may ultimately require a general-obligation bond but suggested creative repayment options, including developing district-owned land to accelerate payoff rather than layering bonds in perpetuity. "We're just talking about building supplies and the kids are building the homes. We sell those homes. We're gonna pay that bond off quite a bit faster," she said as an example of an approach to limit long-term tax pressure.

On student-led and culturally sensitive issues, Walker took firm positions. She said she would not allow biological males to participate in girls' sports in the district and that a team presenting a male player in girls' competition should forfeit rather than risk injury. She also said the district should not permit mixed-sex bathrooms and expressed personal concern for girls' privacy at school.

Walker said she would support board policy restricting promotion of student groups or classroom displays she characterized as ideological, including gay–straight alliance promotion or pride displays; she said the superintendent's role is to enforce board policy and, if necessary, be replaced.

On early literacy and promotion, Walker opposed mandatory grade retention for students who struggle with reading. Instead she recommended interventions, targeted tutors and reading specialists: "Don't hold them back — get them a tutor and a reading interventionist," she said. For students near graduation who lack proficiency, she said schools should not "push" students through and noted the GED as an alternative credential in some cases.

Walker emphasized attendance as a leading indicator of student success and criticized post‑COVID leniency around attendance: "If you miss a day a week, you're talking about an entire month of school that you've just missed," she said, urging parents to prioritize consistent attendance.

In closing, Walker framed her campaign as a choice for practical experience and collaboration. She cited long service in PTA leadership, small‑business ownership and local community work as qualifications and asked voters for trust to negotiate with municipalities, legislators and developers to improve school funding and services. She gave campaign contact information: (801) 592-2951, julieforschoolboard@gmail.com and julie4schoolboard.com.