Candidate for Odessa School Board: Christine Crossley

Age: 57

Family: Bill Crossley and I met and married here in Odessa nearly 30 years ago. We have three grown children: Easton, Kolby, and Kassidy. A few years ago, Kolby married Alyssa, and we gained a wonderful daughter-in-law.

Day Job: I have worked as a service writer for Odessa Trading Co since 2013, before that I was a Para Educator in the Special Ed Department at Odessa School Dist. and an NA-C for the Odessa Hospital.

Relevent or Volunteer Experience: I have actively volunteered for various community events, including Deutschesfest and the Desert 100. I served on the board of our local daycare and acted as president for our preschool co-op. I became a school board member in December 2015.

Profile questions (please respond in 100 words or less per answer):

Question 1: Statistics show that statewide, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related shutdowns that led to learning loss is still felt today. How could the School Board help narrow the gap of learning loss caused by COVID?

To bridge the learning loss gap, our school board stands ready to back our superintendent's initiatives, such as tutoring and summer programs, providing access to technology and prioritizing social and emotional support for students. We work together with teachers, parents, and the community to create a full plan and promise to use resources carefully to help all students catch up and do well in school.

Question 2: Earlier this year, some parents vocally and publicly voiced their displeasure with the School District, accusing staff members of mistreating students or ignoring mistreatment against students by others. Do you see this as a problem in the District? If so, how should this be remedied? If not, why do you think those complaints could have been overblown?

Every issue presented to the school board receives immediate attention. Sometimes, outcomes cannot be publicly shared, but we hope that our faculty and community have confidence in our decisions. When possible, we share outcomes, although they may not satisfy everyone. Our choices focus on what is best for the student. While not all complaints reach the board, when they do we treat them with the utmost seriousness. We are dedicated to transparent decision-making when possible and maintaining the trust of our community, staff, and students.

Question 3: How would you help maintain a balanced District budget amidst continually rising costs and inflation mixed with rather stagnant enrollment trends? If budget issues someday led to tough decisions, such as deciding between staff layoffs and program cuts, how would you inform those choices as a Board member?

To maintain a balanced District budget, I would prioritize saving money, explore energy-saving measures, and seek community partnerships for funding. Additionally, I would look at current programs and direct resources where students need them most for success. I would put student needs first by conducting a thorough assessment of the programs' impact on education quality. If necessary, I would explore alternative funding sources and seek input from the community and staff before making challenging decisions, always aiming to minimize the impact on staff and student.