Evergreen School District’s trustee election on Tuesday includes two seats with three-year terms. There are three candidates: Brant Karlstad and incumbents Dave Lowitz and Tamara Williams.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the administrative building at 18 West Evergreen Drive.

• Brant Karlstad, 47, a tow-truck operator for Bolster’s Towing, has an affinity for serving the community.

While he is new to the school election process, Karlstad said he felt he had a lot to offer as a parent, community member and volunteer.

The father of three has been a member of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse for 21 years and a board member of the Posse for more than 12.

“For over 20 years I’ve been volunteering, giving back to the community, and with my kids going to school here, I thought it was one way I could get involved,” Karlstad said. “I have an eighth-grader graduating from Evergreen Junior High going on to Glacier. I have two daughters coming through in sixth and second grade.”

Karlstad said he would like to assist the district in any way he can to help continue the district’s high standards.

“I’ve been very impressed with the school district — with the administration and staff.”

• Dave Lowitz, 53, owner of Lowitz Custom Shoppe, has served on the Evergreen school board for 16 years, 15 of them as vice chairman.

Before serving on the Evergreen board, he started as a school trustee in Marion. What initially drew him to serve on the school board were his daughters who have gone through the Evergreen school system, but then it became more.

“I always liked education and wanted to get more involved,” Lowitz said. “I thoroughly enjoy it and watching the kids learning. The kids present at our board meetings so it’s fun to watch them grow. They are so eager to learn. It’s pretty rewarding.”

Currently he serves on the district leadership team and negotiations team.

Lowitz said he wants to be part of the process and programs going on in Evergreen schools.

“There’s a lot of good things going on in Evergreen,” Lowitz said.

Lowitz said he doesn’t have any particular agenda to being a longtime board member.

“As a board member, student achievement is what we’re all about and building relationships improves attendance and academic scores,” Lowitz said.

• Tamara Williams, 54, owner of Insty Prints in Kalispell and Polson, echoed that sentiment.

“We continue to work for excellence,” Williams said. “The decisions we make as trustees are in the best interest of students, our quality facilities and our exceptional staff.”

Williams has served on the board for 16 years, the past 15 as chairwoman. Like Lowitz, she also serves on the district negotiations and leadership teams.

Both of her children have gone through Evergreen schools from kindergarten through eighth grade. Her daughter is currently a senior at Glacier High School and her son is a Glacier graduate.

“After 16 years of service to the district, I continue to be excited to be a part of this process — working for continual growth and excellence in our schools,” Lowitz said. “I feel we’re still moving forward in a positive fashion.”

Williams said finances are one area in which board members can be proud.

“There’s a lot of things we’ve done that we’re proud of. The other incumbent and I hang our hats on that we haven’t had to ask for a voted levy of taxpayers over 12 years now,” Lowitz said. “We’re also very proud of our technology development plan and getting students ready for 21st century learning.”

Williams has also served on boards for Glacier Symphony and Chorale and Rotary Club of Kalispell and the advisory council for Gateway Community Center, along with the Glacier High School Booster Club.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.