ROYAL CITY - Katie Christensen is running against Warren Small for Royal School Board position No. 5, and one of her stronger assets may be her efforts toward organizing Parent Teacher Organizations wherever she has lived.

Voters have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to mark and mail in their ballots.

Christensen helped organize the Royal PTO last year and has continued to be actively involved in the organization. She has been involved at school in some way since her oldest son was in kindergarten.

"Living in different school districts and being involved has given me the opportunity to see what practices are effective and not so effective in education," she said.

Moving to the Royal Slope with her husband and family three years ago, Christensen is relatively new to the area. However, she is a member of a long-time Royal Slope family.

"My husband, Larry Christensen, was born and raised here in Royal, was educated in its school system and graduated from Royal High School in 1988," she said.

Christensen was born and raised in Utah. She met her husband while both attended college in Provo. He studied Construction Management and she studied the related field of Interior Design.

"We pursued our careers in these fields while starting our family and moving around the West," Christensen said.

The Christensens have six children, ranging in age from 18 to 1. Their oldest son graduated from Royal High School in 2013, and the other children attend each of the three schools.

"As we have lived in various cities and states, our children have attended schools in a variety of places," Christensen said.

Christensen started volunteering at these schools and became actively involved in Parent Teacher Organizations.

"Royal City is unique as a small, tight-knit community, enabling people to have a role in decision making," she said.

Last year Christensen was instrumental in helping establish the Royal Parent Teacher Organization and served as President. She saw parents that were passionate about being involved in supporting Royal's teachers and students by donating their time as well as their resources.

Christensen has been working with other PTO volunteers building school spirit with black out games and t-shirts, extracurricular education through Red Rock lunch clubs, jump rope for heart, and other activities.

"As I have volunteered in various schools and districts in Utah, Idaho and Arizona, I have noticed commonalities between all of them: educators who are dedicated and work tirelessly to provide an education for their students; parents who want to be involved, informed and have a voice in their child's education; students who want to learn, be guided, and feel like they can achieve and succeed in life," Christensen said.

As a school board member, Christensen would assure that district educators are recognized for their outstanding achievements and also held accountable. She said it is important that resources be properly allocated and spent to provide the best education possible for Royal's students.

"These are our hard earned tax dollars at work and they should be used efficiently," Christensen said. "Our community should decide what is best for our students and our voices should be heard. Locally we should be making the decisions for what happens in Royal."

Christensen believes parents should know what is happening in their schools, and she promises to be dedicated to open communication and transparency.

"Most importantly, our students need to realize their potential," Christensen said. "Every opportunity for achievement must to be provided for our students. I want the best curriculum and educators to be part of the Royal School District."

"As a mother, I have a vested interest in what happens at the schools," Christensen added. "I want the very best for my children and their peers."

Christensen touted a learned and practiced financial expertise. As an interior designer, she has experience working within budgets.

"I know the importance of open communication and value of the contribution of each individual's unique talents and abilities," she said. "As a volunteer, I honor the contributions people make of their time and resources for the greater good."

"I do not take living on the Royal Slope for granted," Christensen added. "I see what a special place it is and am grateful for the opportunity I have to raise my family here."