Kristie Hart, Nashua Board Of Education Candidate

Kristie Hart

Age (as of Election Day)

35

Position Sought

Board of Education

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

I've been married to my husband for 5 years and we have 3 children, a 3-year-old, 2-year-old, and 4 month old.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

I have a Bachelors in English Teaching from UNH in 2008 and an Associates in Veterinary Technology from Great Bay Community College in 2011.

Occupation

I have a full-time job as a stay-at-home mother of three beautiful children.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None. This is my first venture into holding any type of office.

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/electkristiehart/

Why are you seeking elective office?

I grew up in the Nashua public school system (attended pre-k through 12). When I think about my days in grammar school, I distinctly remember teachers saying things like "don't ask me about politics" and "politics aren't for the classroom". Today, politics and ideologies are flooding the school system and it's impeding our children's ability to get a proper education. This greatly concerns me as a mother of three young children that will soon enter our public schools. While there are many reasons I desire a position on the Board of Education, this one carries the most weight and was a concern I had for my children before I decided to run.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue being discussed on the board is Coronavirus and the use of masks not just in school but on the board as well. I am pro parent choice on this matter and would vote to lift the existing mandate.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I can't speak to the mindset of all my fellow candidates. However, I can say that what I know of the existing board (with the exception of a few), is that it's in disarray, and therefore, moving in a downward progression for the success of our children. Campaigns like this are typically an individually run effort but what's different about me is that my fellow, like-minded candidates and I have been partnering to win enough seats to really make an impact on BOE decisions.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The majority of the board has failed our community by not listening to the voices of parents/taxpayers. Instead of board meetings being about what's best for the children in the Nashua School District, it's become about personal beliefs and agendas. In doing so, they have blurred the line between parent and teacher responsibilities. It's a line that I intend to redraw.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Nashua had the first and longest mask mandate in the state. This ill-thought decision created an unnecessary negative impact on our economy and local businesses because those opposed to wearing masks would simply travel to one of our surrounding towns. When it comes to education, however, the worst offense was the decision to have remote learning; in conjunction with social and emotional setbacks, remote learning highlighted how kids learn and how they don't. This is an issue that has cascaded on to our teachers because now they are struggling to make up for last year while keeping to their own lesson plan. Our children were deprived of a proper education and presented with mental and emotional roadblocks they likely wouldn't of experienced otherwise. The warning signs have been visible from the beginning and remote learning should have been stopped shortly after it started.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Protect the teaching of educational fundamentals while avoiding politics and ideologies.
No mandates (i.e. vaccines and masks).
Be a parent representative which includes open communication and transparency.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My greatest accomplishment is being a stay-at-home mother of three children under the age of four. The responsibility (and joy) that comes with raising children and managing a household is unmeasurable. I imagine the skill it takes to do so successfully translates well into the role of a Board of Education member.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When I was twelve, I came down with a case of strep throat while visiting my late grandmother who was battling Lymphoma. I had to take an antibiotic that I hated, so, I threw crying fits and complained every time. Finally, my grandmother got tired of hearing it and she told me something that has stuck with me twenty-three years later: She said "I know you don't like taking your medicine. I don't like taking mine either but I do it because I have to - there are people that need me." I didn't appreciate that statement then as much as I do now but her words are what taught me that life isn't about living for just yourself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I grew up in Nashua and my children will do the same so Nashua has become important to me. I'm fortunate to be able to use my history as a student and couple it with my perspective as a parent to give this city's children the best education possible.