A PTA President on the School Board? Pritchett Will Run

Most people who have spent time at Rosemont school events would likely recognize Christina Pritchett.

She's currently the president of parent-teacher associations at both and , even though she doesn't have any kids currently in high school. She was brought on stage and honored at the celebration last month, and she had to go directly from a recent interview to assisting behind the scenes at 's talent show.

Pritchett announced late Friday that she plans to run for school board in the Sacramento City Unified School District, in the seat currently held by Trustee Donald Terry. The seat represents Rosemont, College Greens, La Riviera, parts of Rancho Cordova and other areas.

Terry does not plan to run for re-election, and .

"I've been thinking about running for at least the last three years," Pritchett said. "With being involved in the schools I see what's going on. I have a strong voice and I feel like I could make a difference."

Pritchett, who said she either watches online or attends every school board meeting, decided she would run for school board after she went through what she said was a frustrating process with her son at Rosemont High.

Her son graduated but was not allowed to walk, and had to take summer school classes. She said she spent every day at the school while waiting for a decision about the fate of his graduation, and wasn't given enough information.

"It just made me feel–how many other kids is this happening to that don't have a (strong voice to stand up for them)?" she said. "There needs to be a strong voice for all the kids."

She currently works as a Regulatory and Legislative Associate for the California Association of Health Facilities, and said her experience reading budgets and tracking legislation has prepared her for a position as a school board member.

Pritchett Plans Summer Door-to-Door Campaign

Pritchett, who has lived in Rosemont for five years and in the La Riviera area for the 15 years prior to that, said the first stage of her bid for school board will involve asking residents, community groups and principals what issues matter to them.

"I'm really looking forward to going and knocking on doors," she said. "I want to know what their issues are and what they feel a good leader should be like."

She is especially interested in talking with Sacramento City Unified principals in Rancho Cordova, where the majority of schools are in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.

While Pritchett doesn't know what her main campaign platform will be, she knows the district's impending budget crisis is a major issue.

"I don't know how I would fix it," she said, adding that she doesn't have as much information as the school board. She said that budget decisions are tough, and she would "make sure the tough decisions are right for the district."

Most of all, Pritchett said she's still learning about the school board and its issues.

"I'm not claiming to be a pro at this," she said. "I'm just a mom in the community that cares about all the kids."

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly described Christina Pritchett's involvement last week in Sequoia Elementary School's talent show. Rosemont Patch regrets the error.