District 7 finalist field highlighted budget, facilities and teacher supports in interviews

Candidates for the District 7 vacancy addressed trustees in two‑minute introductions followed by trustee questions. Educators emphasized student voice, classroom priorities and curriculum alignment; candidates with management or finance backgrounds stressed measurable metrics, contract oversight and restoring public trust ahead of a bond effort.

Esther Zapata said the board should place students first and bring community and P‑TECH students into practical facility work: "Students come 1st," she said. Former trustee O'Donnell, who led past bond efforts, warned trustees of the budget timeline and urged decisive work: "Time is of the essence because we're down to what now? 33 days, for your operating budget," she said. Other applicants urged transparency in budgeting, stronger principal support for teachers and more attention to deferred facility maintenance.

Trustees told candidates they were balancing complementary skill sets — fiscal savviness and classroom experience — and later used those criteria in deliberations; the board ultimately selected Brian Kelly, citing his finance background and long community ties.