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Franklin City Council’s public hearing Jan. 9 to field nominations to fill the Ward 4 seat on the Franklin City School Board yielded one, as Mona Murphy came forward to nominate Cristina Boone.

This was the second public hearing in which the council sought nominees to fill the vacant seat, as no nominations were made during the Nov. 28 hearing.

The Ward 4 seat became vacant after Marchelle F. Williams resigned. Ward 1 Board Member and Board Chair Robert Holt stated that Williams’ resignation was effective Oct. 17.

Williams had served on the school board for more than five-and-a-half years. Her current term is due to expire at the end of June 2024.

While introducing the Nov. 28 public hearing, Franklin City Manager Amanda C. Jarratt noted that the individual selected to fill the current vacancy will fill the rest of the unexpired term through June 30, 2024.

“No one can be considered for the school board unless their name is submitted during this public hearing,” she said, a rule which later applied to the Jan. 9 hearing. “The individual themself does not have to be present, but someone needs to step forward during the public hearing to submit their name.”

On Jan. 9, Murphy stepped forward and shared Boone’s background with the council as she nominated her for the council’s consideration.

Boone, 52, was born in Brooklyn, New York. 

She went to Catherine McAuley High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Brooklyn, from eighth to 10th grade. She graduated from an alternative high school in June 1991.

After that, she continued her education, earning a two-year degree in civil engineering from a New York technical trade college. She also earned a commercial driver’s license to drive 53-foot trailers. 

She did an internship with an interpersonal communications organization that dealt in social work.

She speaks English and Spanish and knows sign language.

After going to school, Boone has held a variety of jobs, some of which Murphy listed. Murphy also noted that Boone could provide more details during her interview with the council.

Boone worked for a few years in the field of youth mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which is described by its website as the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network.

In 2005, she relocated to Franklin and served as a store manager to start with. 

Later on, she took on a nursing career, earning her certification to become a certified nursing assistant.

She is currently a medication aide at the Village at Woods Edge, and she is working toward becoming a licensed practical nurse.

Amid the timeline of her professional career, Cristina married Curtis Boone, and they now have 10 children and 20 grandchildren.

“She is truly invested in the schools and serves as an advocate for many of the children in the community along with their parents,” Murphy said. “She has five grandchildren who go to S.P. Morton Elementary, ranging from preschool to third grade, and one at Franklin High School in the (Junior ROTC) program.”

Murphy asked Boone, who was present at the meeting, to stand, and then Murphy gave Jarratt a copy of Boone’s resumé.

“We thank you for being willing,” Franklin Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchins said to Boone.

Jarratt stated at the council’s Monday, Jan. 23, meeting that the council is set to interview Boone on Monday, Feb. 13.