1 00:00:00,633 --> 00:00:02,702 Hello. My name is Crystal S. Liston. 2 00:00:02,802 --> 00:00:04,771 I'm a gay, disabled parent of two stepsons 3 00:00:04,871 --> 00:00:08,074 who attend West Seattle schools and a member of your community 4 00:00:08,174 --> 00:00:10,844 who's very passionate about our public schools. 5 00:00:10,944 --> 00:00:13,613 I'm so passionate, in fact, that I've made it my mission 6 00:00:13,713 --> 00:00:15,582 to volunteer in every school in our district, 7 00:00:15,682 --> 00:00:18,051 as I do not understand how a board member 8 00:00:18,151 --> 00:00:20,887 can govern a body of people they know nothing about. 9 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:23,256 As of the 2018-2020 school year, 10 00:00:23,356 --> 00:00:26,726 I volunteered in 20 of our 102 schools, 11 00:00:26,826 --> 00:00:28,895 and as a volunteer, I have noticed a disconnect 12 00:00:28,995 --> 00:00:31,031 in our school community as a whole. 13 00:00:31,131 --> 00:00:32,499 The reason I'm running for school board 14 00:00:32,599 --> 00:00:33,933 is to lead a paradigm shift 15 00:00:34,034 --> 00:00:36,903 where schools interact and communicate with one another, 16 00:00:37,003 --> 00:00:38,505 a shift where the Seattle community 17 00:00:38,605 --> 00:00:40,340 is held accountable to participate 18 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:42,108 and nurture our schools, 19 00:00:42,208 --> 00:00:43,610 a shift where school board members 20 00:00:43,710 --> 00:00:45,412 are active in the various schools 21 00:00:45,512 --> 00:00:48,348 and communicate to their students, parents, and teachers. 22 00:00:48,448 --> 00:00:51,051 Instead of telling schools what they should be doing, 23 00:00:51,151 --> 00:00:52,152 we need to ask, 24 00:00:52,252 --> 00:00:54,054 "We have resources. What do you need?" 25 00:00:54,154 --> 00:00:56,022 Another aspect of our school district 26 00:00:56,122 --> 00:00:58,525 that has become clear to me is the lack of equity. 27 00:00:58,625 --> 00:01:00,860 Why do some schools have band instruments for students 28 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:02,128 but others don't? 29 00:01:02,228 --> 00:01:04,364 Why are social workers not in all of our schools 30 00:01:04,464 --> 00:01:06,166 to support our students with trauma 31 00:01:06,266 --> 00:01:09,269 and our faculty who need support from their administration? 32 00:01:09,369 --> 00:01:10,804 Why has the current school board 33 00:01:10,904 --> 00:01:13,139 chosen to lay off school librarians? 34 00:01:13,239 --> 00:01:14,574 Why, as a progressive city, 35 00:01:14,674 --> 00:01:17,110 are we still teaching a white-controlled curriculum? 36 00:01:17,210 --> 00:01:18,845 I'm a firm believer that our values 37 00:01:18,945 --> 00:01:20,580 are in our budget, and our current school board 38 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:23,550 is failing to represent our community's values. 39 00:01:23,650 --> 00:01:25,485 Maybe you're asking yourself, "What qualifies you 40 00:01:25,585 --> 00:01:28,254 to be on the board?" My response is this. 41 00:01:28,354 --> 00:01:30,056 I can give you a list of my college degrees. 42 00:01:30,156 --> 00:01:33,259 I have two. I have one trade school certificate. 43 00:01:33,359 --> 00:01:36,563 But what qualifies me to be on the board is that I'm a parent, 44 00:01:36,663 --> 00:01:38,965 and I'm also a professional volunteer. 45 00:01:39,065 --> 00:01:41,267 And what is a Seattle School Board member? 46 00:01:41,367 --> 00:01:42,902 An unpaid volunteer. 47 00:01:43,002 --> 00:01:46,272 So, in conclusion, if you're part of the movement for change, 48 00:01:46,372 --> 00:01:48,942 then be vulnerable and courageous and vote for me, 49 00:01:49,042 --> 00:01:50,543 Crystal S. Liston. 50 00:01:50,643 --> 00:01:53,513 "Be bold, and the mighty forces will come to your aid." 51 00:01:53,613 --> 00:01:55,014 Goethe said that.