Hello. My name is Crystal S. Liston.
I'm a gay, disabled parent of two stepsons
who attend West Seattle schools and a member of your community
who's very passionate about our public schools.
I'm so passionate, in fact, that I've made it my mission
to volunteer in every school in our district,
as I do not understand how a board member
can govern a body of people they know nothing about.
As of the 2018-2020 school year,
I volunteered in 20 of our 102 schools,
and as a volunteer, I have noticed a disconnect
in our school community as a whole.
The reason I'm running for school board
is to lead a paradigm shift
where schools interact and communicate with one another,
a shift where the Seattle community
is held accountable to participate
and nurture our schools,
a shift where school board members
are active in the various schools
and communicate to their students, parents, and teachers.
Instead of telling schools what they should be doing,
we need to ask,
"We have resources. What do you need?"
Another aspect of our school district
that has become clear to me is the lack of equity.
Why do some schools have band instruments for students
but others don't?
Why are social workers not in all of our schools
to support our students with trauma
and our faculty who need support from their administration?
Why has the current school board
chosen to lay off school librarians?
Why, as a progressive city,
are we still teaching a white-controlled curriculum?
I'm a firm believer that our values
are in our budget, and our current school board
is failing to represent our community's values.
Maybe you're asking yourself, "What qualifies you
to be on the board?" My response is this.
I can give you a list of my college degrees.
I have two. I have one trade school certificate.
But what qualifies me to be on the board is that I'm a parent,
and I'm also a professional volunteer.
And what is a Seattle School Board member?
An unpaid volunteer.
So, in conclusion, if you're part of the movement for change,
then be vulnerable and courageous and vote for me,
Crystal S. Liston.
"Be bold, and the mighty forces will come to your aid."
Goethe said that.