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Two newcomers are facing off for the District 11 seat on the Utah State Board of Education this November.

Republican Tracy Nuttall is running against Democrat Lacey Peterson for a chance to represent parts of Utah County, Lehi, American Fork, Alpine and Bluffdale.

Nutall is an attorney and previously served on a school community council and Parent Teacher Association, according to her campaign website. She’s also worked as a legal consultant to USBE.

Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in abuse and trauma, anxiety, stress and more. She’s worked with children, teens and families for more than nine years, her campaign website states.

The current District 11 board seat belongs to Cindy Davis, who announced earlier this year she would not seek reelection. She has endorsed Nuttall.

Ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, The Salt Lake Tribune sent a survey to Nuttall and Peterson asking for their thoughts on several education issues.

Peterson responded, and submitted a photo, through that questionnaire.

But in a text message, Nuttall said she would not participate, because she felt the survey’s two yes/no questions were “too black and white without me being able to respond in more detail.”

She added that “anyone who is passionate about education is an ally in my opinion.”

Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Answers may be edited for style and clarity.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Mail ballots must be dropped off at a ballot dropbox by 8 p.m. on that day or, if returned by mail, must be received by the county clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Utah’s public education system over the next four years?

Nuttall: Did not participate.

Peterson: The biggest challenge is ensuring Utah’s public schools have the people and resources they need to help every student succeed. Teacher retention, growing mental health and behavioral needs, and pressure on school budgets are interconnected. We need to listen to educators, invest in keeping great teachers, get student-teacher ratios to an appropriate level, support students’ well-being, and make sure public education dollars are used transparently and where they have the greatest impact.

What are your thoughts on Utah’s sensitive materials law, which created a process to remove books from all public schools in the state?

Nuttall: Did not participate.

Peterson: I believe parents should have a voice in what their children access at school and schools should have clear processes for addressing genuinely inappropriate materials; however, I do not support broad censorship or a one-size-fits-all statewide approach. Decisions about challenged books should be made locally, with parents, educators, and school communities involved, because what is appropriate can vary by age, school, and context. We can protect students without limiting access for everyone.

Do you support the use of taxpayer dollars for the Utah Fits All program, which gives selected private school and homeschool students with up to $8,000 in public money to use on educational expenses, with certain restrictions? Why, or why not?

Nuttall: Did not participate.

Peterson: I support parents having the freedom to choose, but I do not believe taxpayer dollars should be used to fund private education. Utah has a constitutional obligation to provide a strong public education system for every child, and those public dollars should strengthen the schools serving our communities. Families can make different educational choices, but that doesn’t mean taxpayers should be required to fund them. I would prioritize investing in and fully supporting Utah’s public schools.

What role do you feel immigration enforcement has in schools, if any?

Nuttall: Did not participate.

Peterson: Schools should be places where every child can learn, feel safe, and belong. Immigration enforcement is not a school function. Our educators and administrators should be focused on educating students. Schools should protect student privacy and ensure that a child’s immigration status does not become a barrier to their education.

Utah lawmakers this year introduced a host of new literacy supports and interventions to help curb the state’s dismal reading scores. That included a plan to hold struggling third grade readers back starting in 2030. Do you support third grade retention, yes or no?

Nuttall: Did not participate.

Peterson: No.

Do you support Utah’s bell-to-bell cellphone bans in schools, yes or no?

Nuttall: Did not participate.

Peterson: Yes.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Nuttall: Did not participate.

Peterson: “Rising Strong” by Brené Brown is a favorite. It’s all about learning to rise from our mistakes and failures. I love that it emphasizes the importance of confronting our emotions and stories to cultivate resilience and wholeheartedness in our lives.