Kristen Zihmer
Running for school board in Carroll County
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 5)?
38
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Small business owner, certified senior advisor.
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Bachelor's degree, Salisbury University.
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running for the Carroll County Board of Education because I am deeply committed to maintaining Carroll County as one of the best places in the nation to start and raise a family. As a conservative lifelong resident, mother of two, small business owner and active community member, I believe in the importance of education that reflects our community's values. I am passionate about ensuring that our schools continue to provide a strong foundation for our children's futures, where they can grow, learn and prepare for successful careers. My goal is to uphold the family and community values that make our county exceptional.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
My candidacy for the school board is grounded in both my experience and a deep commitment to upholding strong educational values. With over 15 years of success in business as an owner and manager, I understand how to:
-Set budgets and allocate resources.
-Meet regulatory obligations.
-Establish collaborative relationships.
-Pursue strategic goals.
Serving as president of the parent/teacher association, I find myself immersed in my children’s school, and I am loving my experience there as I gain keen insights into educators’ needs and the needs of parents and students alike. Other community leadership roles, both past and present, have also provided me with valuable core skill sets, experience and insight directly applicable to service on the school board. Such roles include:
-President of the Board of the Senior Provider Information Network.
-Executive board member for Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County.
-Committee member for The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll.
-Committee member for the Youth Service Bureau's Philanthropy Committee.
These experiences make me uniquely qualified to serve effectively on the school board, where thoughtful decision-making and collaborative leadership are paramount.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
I believe that the most critical issue facing our school board is the prioritization of academic achievement and rigor in our schools. The recent 2023-2024 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program results reveal that only 64.8% of Carroll County students are proficient in English Language Arts and just 37.7% are proficient in mathematics. Although Carroll County ranks among the top three counties in the state in these categories, these figures nevertheless indicate significant room for improvement. It is my conviction that every decision made by the school board should prioritize the enhancement of academic excellence to ensure that all students reach their full potential.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire Ronald Reagan, the president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He played a pivotal role in revitalizing conservatism during the mid-to-late 20th century by advocating for smaller government, lower taxes and free-market economics. His economic policies were instrumental in curbing inflation and stimulating economic growth, leaving a lasting impact on the U.S. economy.
Reagan's leadership was also crucial in the peaceful resolution of the Cold War. His firm stance against the Soviet Union, combined with strategic diplomatic efforts, helped bring an end to this prolonged global conflict. Often referred to as “The Great Communicator,” Reagan's optimistic vision and effective communication skills restored national confidence and reignited a sense of American pride.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, passed by the General Assembly in 2021, is a 10-year plan that includes increased education funding to support early childhood education, increased teacher starting pay, college/career-readiness standards for high school graduates, and expanded services to multilingual and impoverished families, among other goals. Please tell us your views on the Blueprint and how it will affect your school district.
I believe that the Blueprint for Maryland's Future imposes unnecessary constraints on local control and autonomy, particularly in counties like Carroll that consistently perform among the best in the state. I advocate for empowering local elected officials to design and implement education plans tailored to their respective communities, within their own budgets. I am optimistic after Gov. Wes Moore's recent comments in an interview with Fox45, wherein he acknowledged the need for adjustments to the Blueprint’s implementation and emphasized the importance of a plan with broad support and a feasible financial pathway.
Some school districts nationwide are placing new limits on the use of cellphones in middle and high schools. What do you think should be the policy on student use of cellphones in your district, and why do you support that policy?
The National Institutes of Health has found that heavy smartphone use among adolescents contributes to chronic sleep deprivation, poor academic performance and impaired cognitive and socio-emotional functioning. I am a strong advocate for making our schools cellphone-free zones. I fully support an “off and away” policy, respected and supported by parents and uniformly enforced by all school administrators, teachers and staff.
Are you satisfied with your school district's efforts to ensure the safety of its students? What, if anything, should be done to improve school safety in your district?
I support full funding and the potential expansion of Sheriff James T. DeWees’s nationally recognized Student Resource Officer program, as well as the efforts of Carroll County Public Schools’ Security and Emergency Management Department. I am grateful for the critical role these programs play in ensuring the safety and security of our students, teachers and staff.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries? If so, what kind of books should be removed, and who should make those decisions?
I fully support students’ ability to access supplemental materials representing multiple viewpoints and their right to be taught academic subjects from varying perspectives. When materials are open to question, I default to parental consent.
Regarding books that are sexually explicit in nature, I would state unequivocally that I do not condone materials that are sexually gratuitous in nature or feature extreme sexual content, including graphic depictions of sex and/or rape, in our school libraries.
Some school districts enact policies allowing transgender and gender nonconforming students to use their preferred pronouns while at the same time not informing those students' parents about that decision. What is your opinion of such policies?
Parents should be fully informed about everything happening at school involving their child. There should NEVER be a situation where information is withheld from parents.
