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Krystal Criser: Seeking first term
General Election 2007
BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER
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BURNSVILLE - For Krystal Criser , putting herself in front of the public by running for the Williamsville school board seat is a big step.
"I think you (school board member) are the overseer, caregiver, protector of every student, faculty member," Criser said of the duties of the office.
While not familiar with the current school budget or the particulars of the budget process, Criser carries experience with financial issues as business coordinator for Homestead Preserve.
"Because I do have children in the school system," she said, "I want to help the kids." Her daughter, Kodie, attends Bath County High School and her son, Michael, attends Valley Elementary.
In addition to being a working mother, Criser has stepped in over the years to coach sports teams, including baseball and softball.
"My co-workers would describe me as a little assertive," Criser said of her management style. "I know what's on my mind and I know what I want to say."
She cites her work for the Preserve and having children in the system as her main experiences preparing her for the job. While she has not attended any school board meetings in the past year, she says if elected she will become a better listener and ask people questions in order to learn the job.
Criser decided to run for the office being vacated by Kay Hicklin after she heard Hicklin had decided not to seek reelection.
The current board, said Criser, has its focus in the right place but she doesn't think it has been able to follow through. On the other hand, she said, she wasn't "in that hot spot" making the decisions over the past four years so understands it's always easy to second guess decisions made in the past.
Criser was reluctant to say anything about school superintendent Dr. David Smith. "I don't know enough about Dr. Smith to make a judgment," she said.
She thinks a wide gap still remains between supervisors and the school board. "The bottom line is, it affects the children and teachers," she said of the rift she perceives between the boards. The boards need to be cohesive, "need to work together," Criser added.
Criser said the school system has enough money but the budget is well-managed from the perspective of how that money is spent.
If necessary, she said, she would step into the day-to-day operations at individual schools.
Bath County students aren't immune to what goes on in the city, Criser said. "The county is not big, but we still have our own problems here ... I don't know what has happened to the self-esteem of kids. It is really scary."
"I know there are problems and issues. I'd like the opportunity to try to make a difference," Criser said. "Ultimately, it is all about our children."
About the candidate Krystal Criser Age: 38 Lives on Dry Run Road.
Graduated from BCHS in 1987.
Business coordinator for the Homestead Preserve.
Coached basketball and baseball teams sons played on.
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