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A middle-aged woman with long, light brown hair and glasses, wearing a teal blouse, standing with her arms crossed inside a well-lit room with shelves holding decorative items and dishes.

WHY I’M RUNNING

I am running because I already have the experience to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions when needed, collaborate productively, and help guide Claremont USD toward a stable, student-centered future.

Photographer: Matt Lara, 2023, https://www.mattlaraphotography.com/

▾ Find out more below ▾

Three people standing in front of government seals on a wall, with an American flag and a California state flag in the background. They are dressed professionally, smiling, and wearing ID badges.

(I’m here)

I choose to run for the Claremont Unified School District Board of Education because this community has shaped my life, and I want to give back to the community through experienced, thoughtful public service. I grew up in Claremont and am a proud graduate of Claremont High School; my husband and I raised our three children here, all of whom graduated from Claremont HS.

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A man in a light gray suit holding an award plaque, standing next to a woman in a dark blue dress with glasses, both smiling for the camera in front of a blue background with a yellow logo.

I taught theatre at Claremont High for 27 years and chaired the visual and performing arts department for 11 years. I have gained a deep, firsthand understanding of, and great appreciation for, all our schools as a student, a parent, and a longtime educator. As a public-school educator, I also understand how board policies translate into real classroom impact. I’ve spent decades balancing program vision with fiscal constraints—always centering on student outcomes while supporting educators and staff.

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Group of diverse people on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building, posing for a photo on a sunny day. Krista Carson Elhai's face is circled in blue.

I’m seeking a seat on the school board now that I’ve concluded my career at Claremont High School. After decades in education, combined with over a decade of national nonprofit board governance and executive leadership as president of the Educational Theatre Association, I bring extensive experience in policy development, financial oversight, collaborative problem-solving, and long-range strategic planning.

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I believe that experienced, policy-driven leadership matters, and I am dedicated to ensuring that decisions are informed by research and the expertise of our staff, with input from our families, guided by policy, and always centered on what is best for students and families—today and for the next generation.

A woman with long hair and glasses is giving a presentation at a conference, standing in front of a large screen displaying a PowerPoint slide titled 'Funding Strategy Examples.' Several attendees are seated around tables, listening and taking notes.
Group of five diverse people smiling in front of the U.S. Capitol building with blue sky and trees in the background.
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I bring 41 years of public education experience, including 27 years in Claremont classrooms, combined with over a decade of executive-level nonprofit governance of a multi-million-dollar educational organization. I have led with transparency, accountability, collaboration, and centered student outcomes.

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A woman standing at a podium giving a speech, with a large illuminated sign behind her displaying the California state outline and the words 'California' and 'Thespian'.

If elected, I will apply this combination of national-level governance experience and deep local educational knowledge to ensure Claremont USD is:

A woman with long brown hair, glasses, and a dark jacket stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone during a presentation or speech. Behind her, a large projected slide displays various political and election-related text and logos, including the California state seal

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Addressing declining enrollment by establishing Claremont USD as a destination district.

Developing strong labor-city partnerships by working with educators, unions, and city officials as collaborators.

Championing innovative learning through thoughtful AI integration and research-backed policies that support healthy screen time habits for students.

Exploring environmentally sustainable options for school grounds and facilities.

Prioritizing student well-being by advancing policies that build connection, reinforce belonging, and strengthen mental health supports district-wide.

I am running because I already have the experience to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions when needed, collaborate productively, and help guide Claremont USD toward a stable, student-centered future.

Being fiscally responsible by asking the right questions to ensure sound, transparent governance.