Priority 04
Strong Schools &
Support for Families
Every student deserves reliable, transparent support. Kara brings real-world education leadership — not talking points — to the legislature.
Every student deserves reliable, transparent support. Kara brings real-world education leadership — not talking points — to the legislature.
As Executive Director of Davis Education Foundation, Kara Toone works every day alongside educators, families, administrators, and community partners to strengthen public education across Davis County. She doesn't just talk about schools — she is in the trenches, navigating the real complexities of budgets, staffing, enrollment shifts, and the evolving needs of students and families.
The Davis Education Foundation serves the Davis School District, one of the largest school districts in Utah, supporting more than 72,000 students across dozens of schools. Kara has seen firsthand what works and what doesn't — from the challenges of recruiting qualified teachers to the difficult conversations about how to allocate limited resources across growing communities.
Her role has given her a unique perspective that most legislators simply do not have: a ground-level understanding of how state policy decisions impact real classrooms, real teachers, and real families. She brings that expertise — and that accountability — to every conversation about education.
Utah has a unique education funding structure. The state constitution earmarks income tax revenue for public education, higher education, and related services. This has historically provided a dedicated funding stream for schools — but it has also become the center of an ongoing debate about tax restructuring and revenue flexibility.
In recent years, proposals have surfaced to change how income tax revenue is allocated, raising real concerns among educators, parents, and school administrators about the future reliability of education funding. When the legislature discusses broadening how income tax dollars can be spent, it inevitably raises a question that matters to every family in District 14: Will our schools have the funding they need, year after year?
Kara believes that any changes to Utah's tax structure must come with ironclad guarantees of reliable, predictable funding for public education. Students and teachers cannot plan their futures around uncertainty. Budgets cannot be built on shifting sand. Whatever the legislature decides, education funding must remain stable, transparent, and sufficient.
This isn't an abstract policy question for Kara — it's the reality she navigates every day at the Davis Education Foundation, where budget uncertainty directly impacts classrooms, programs, and the students who depend on them.
Most legislators learn about education policy from briefings and lobbyists. Kara has lived it. She brings a rare combination of hands-on experience, policy expertise, and deep community relationships.
"Every child who walks into a classroom in Davis County deserves to know that their school has the resources, the teachers, and the support to help them succeed. That's not a partisan issue — it's a promise we make to every family in this community. I've spent my career working to keep that promise, and I'll bring that same commitment to the legislature."— Kara Toone
These aren't campaign slogans. They're priorities shaped by years of working inside the education system, informed by the educators, parents, and students Kara serves every day.
The Davis Education Foundation is the bridge between the community and the classroom. Under Kara's leadership, the Foundation has become a vital partner in ensuring that every student in Davis School District has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
The Foundation works with businesses, civic organizations, families, and individual donors to fund programs and initiatives that fall outside the scope of traditional district budgets. From scholarships and classroom grants to mentorship programs and career readiness initiatives, the Foundation fills critical gaps and amplifies the impact of every education dollar.
Kara has led the Foundation through periods of growth and challenge alike. She has built partnerships with local businesses, managed complex fundraising campaigns, navigated the operational demands of serving one of Utah's largest school districts, and ensured that every dollar raised goes directly to supporting students and educators.
Her work at the Foundation has given her a depth of understanding that no briefing book can replicate. She knows the real cost of running a school. She knows what teachers need. She knows the difference between a policy that sounds good on paper and one that actually works in a classroom. That experience is exactly what the Utah Legislature needs.
"I've spent years working inside the education system — not from the outside looking in, but from the inside, standing alongside teachers, parents, and students. I know what works, I know what's broken, and I know how to fix it. That's what I'll bring to the legislature: real knowledge, real relationships, and a real commitment to every student in our community."— Kara Toone
Kara is running to bring real education leadership to the Utah Legislature. Your support — whether a donation, a yard sign, or a few hours of your time — makes a real difference.