Crossland announced her withdrawal from the third district race for the Park City Board of Education Wednesday morning. Crossland has represented District 3, which includes Canyons Village, western Kimball Junction and part of Silver Springs, since 2020. She will serve her term on the board as vice president until the end of 2024.
Crossland said she decided to withdraw for personal and professional reasons. She said for the rest of her term, she will continue to devote the time and attentiveness needed to be a board member, but can’t for another term.
“I didn’t feel like I could give it the just amount of time and thoughtfulness and consideration in it for another term that I have been able to give it and would want to give it,” Crossland said.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the district and thanked the other board members, Superintendent Jill Gildea, district employees and the Park City Community. Crossland said “she and her family will continue to live in Summit County and be a part of the community in other capacities.”
Park City Board of Education President Andrew Caplan withdrew from the District 2 race Monday. District 2 includes part of Silver Springs, upper Park Meadows and Trailside. Crossland said the timing of the withdrawals was partly coincidental and partly because the election primary is coming up.
She said the community shouldn’t be concerned neither the president nor vice president of the board are running for reelection.
“I would have every confidence in the world of others taking this position, rolling into the leadership positions that exist on the board,” Crossland said. “It's a possibility every time there's an election.”
She said there’s strength in the experience of the remaining board members and Superintendent Jill Gildea. However, Crossland said there’s always room to improve.
“We can always continue to strive to be better at communication and connection with the community,” she said. “We can continue to grow in our areas of understanding how to manage in a world of education that has evolved into areas like social media.”
With Crossland’s departure, two candidates remain in the District 3 race: former National Ability Center CEO Danny Glasser and director of child nutrition programs at the Utah Board of Education Kathleen Britton. Either would be a first-time school board member if elected.
The second district race Caplan left is now down to pediatrician Eileen Gallagher and former Park City Historic Preservation board member Dave McFawn. Neither candidate has served on the school board before.
The District 1 board seat, covering Old Town, Prospector and Park City Heights, will also be on the ballot this year. Incumbent Anne Peters faces retired nurse Susan Goldberg.
Utah school board races are non-partisan.
The general election is Nov. 5.
