Ohman, Kristi

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
School Board
District:
Kyrene Elementary School District
Phone:
(320) 224-1494
Age:
38
Occupation:
Teacher
Education:
Master of Education
Biographical Info:

My husband and I are raising two Kyrene Kids. I grew up in Minnesota, but Arizona has been my home for the past 16 years. I earned my bachelor degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University and my master degree from Grand Canyon University. I have taught in public and charter schools; Elementary and Middle over the past 16 years. I am currently teaching gifted elementary students in an Arizona public school district. My passion has always been instructing students face to face. I believe that true learning happens in the classroom. I chose to resign from my community district, so I can serve Kyrene students, teachers, and parents in a new capacity.

Statement:

I am running for Kyrene School Board because I want to be an honest voice for Kyrene kids and truly listen to all parents, teachers, and community members. I am proud to bring a current teacher and parent’s perspective to the Kyrene Board. I want Kyrene to be every parent’s first choice for their child. Kyrene is an amazing district and can reach its highest potential by focusing on education fundamentals, transparency, and accountability for all. The pandemic has left us in a severe academic slump and regression of social skills, work ethic, and behavior. We need to prioritize our Kyrene students and classrooms. The strength of our community relies on our public schools.

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Requiring school officials, including teachers, to inform parents about their child’s social, mental, emotional, or physical health S* Parents have the right to direct all educational, moral, religious, and health care decisions for their minor child.
2. Allowing parents to opt their children out of activities or lessons they find offensive to their personal, moral, or religious beliefs S
3. Increasing state and local taxes to provide more funding for schools and school facility projects O* K-12 funding is an important investment for our future. Increasing local taxes should not be the only answer.
4. Requiring signed permission from a parent before a student may participate in any sexuality related instruction, activities, or clubs. S
5. Allowing all parents to use tax credits, vouchers, or education savings accounts to enable children to attend any public, charter, private, homeschool, or online academy S* I want our parents and teachers to choose our community public school district. Healthy competition is needed to hold all parties accountable.
6. Requiring full-day kindergarten for all students S
7. Mandating sex education classes for 5th-12th grade students O* I believe that sex education classes should be accessible for students, however, mandating is not the answer.
8. Allocating teacher pay raises based upon merit rather than providing uniform salary schedule increases based upon years of teaching or additional credentialing (e.g. masters degrees) S* I believe that teachers should be compensated on merit, experience, and credentials. Teachers should be treated like professionals and held to that professional standard.
9. Implementing policies to allow students and faculty to use the restroom, locker room, and shower room that aligns with their gender identity O
10. Teaching what is known as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); social, emotional learning (SEL); or critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. O* The teaching of empathy, working cooperatively with others, and respecting all people has a place in the classroom that can be addressed organically by educators.
11. Increasing academic (curriculum) transparency by requiring each public school to post online for parents and the public a list of all instructional materials being used in the classroom. S