Crystal Puckett

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Crystal Puckett

Nonpartisan

Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board At-large

Tenure

2020 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

5

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Lawrence Central High School

Personal

Birthplace

Indianapolis, Ind.

Religion

Christ Follower

Profession

Business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Crystal Puckett is an at-large member of the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board in Indiana. She assumed office on January 15, 2020. Her current term ends on December 31, 2028.

Puckett ran for re-election for an at-large seat of the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board in Indiana. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Puckett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Crystal Puckett was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. She earned a high school diploma from Lawrence Central High School and graduated from trade school in 2002. Her career experience includes working as a business owner. Puckett has served on the IndyPeace Collective Advisory Board and with Ignite Teen Ministry, the Lawrence Parks Board, and her children's schools.

Elections

2024

See also: Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, Indiana, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board At-large

Incumbent Crystal Puckett defeated Eric Young in the general election for Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Crystal Puckett (Nonpartisan)	64.8	23,254
		Eric Young (Nonpartisan)	35.2	12,610

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,864
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

To view Puckett's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Puckett in this election.

2020

See also: Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, Indiana, elections (2020)

General election

General election for Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board At-large

Incumbent Crystal Puckett won election in the general election for Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board At-large on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Crystal Puckett (Nonpartisan)	100.0	28,394

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 28,394
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2019

See also: City elections in Indianapolis, Indiana (2019)

General election

General election for Indianapolis City Council District 5

Alison Brown defeated Adam Cox in the general election for Indianapolis City Council District 5 on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alison Brown (D)	54.9	5,067
	Submit photo	Adam Cox (R)	45.1	4,168

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,235
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Indianapolis City Council District 5

Alison Brown defeated Crystal Puckett and Sherron Wellington Franklin in the Democratic primary for Indianapolis City Council District 5 on May 7, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alison Brown	56.7	1,015
		Crystal Puckett	24.9	446
	Submit photo	Sherron Wellington Franklin	18.4	329

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,790
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Indianapolis City Council District 5

Adam Cox advanced from the Republican primary for Indianapolis City Council District 5 on May 7, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Adam Cox	100.0	1,681

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,681
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Crystal Puckett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Puckett's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a mother of five children, my husband and I have placed our trust in Lawrence Township schools to provide them with the education and support they need to succeed. I’m committed to continuing my service to our children and families, ensuring that Lawrence Township prepares every student for success, from pre-K through graduation. My experiences in our community give me a unique perspective, and I use that insight as I advocate for equitable student outcomes, school safety, retaining quality teachers and staff, whole-child development, career pathways, and overall student achievement. I currently serve as the Board Secretary on the Lawrence Township School Board, as well as on the Lawrence Parks Board. I’ve spent over nine years involved in faith-based community work and continue serving on the IndyPeace collective advisory board to collaborate with the community in finding solutions to the rise in youth violence. My faith is central to my life, and as an active church member, I work with Ignite Teen Ministry. I’ve also had the privilege of speaking at various events as an advocate for whole child wellness, sharing the positive impact it has had on my own family.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am endorsed by both the current Mayor Deb Whitfield and previous Mayor Steve Collier.

  -Ensure Student Safety -Advocating for Equitable Student Outcomes -Maintain Fiscal Responsibility - Retaining Highly Qualified teachers and staff - Fostering Community Investment and School Safety

  - Committed to continuing Higher Achievement for All Students
• Why Crystal: -After our current board president leaves. I will have the longest tenure (going on 5 years). History is essential in decision-making. -History of voting During my current tenure on the school board. Lawrence had the Highest salary increases for our teachers in Lawrence's history: 2023-24= 5.62% (5.62-18%/compression pay or quality of life adjustments in pay. 2022-23= 4.65% 2021-22= 5.50% 2020-21= 3% -I am a bridge to the Lawrence school community regarding youth violence. I currently serve on the IndyPeace Collective to seek solutions to the rise in youth violence. Over the last 8 years, I have built rapport with community leaders and decision-makers for the betterment of youth and our community.
• -I have built bi-partisan relationships with local and state leaders. This is where school “purse strings” are held, and it’s crucial to not only forge these relationships but to engage with them regularly concerning our district needs. -Board experience and statesmanship. I've served on a Faith-based organization and currently serve on the MSDLT school board. I am experienced when it comes to the board governance process. I ask questions that others may not be comfortable asking. I believe that productive tension is where growth happens.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Lowering the achievement gap, teacher shortage, rise in homelessness, chronic absenteeism, and school safety. LT has been proactive and innovative in meeting the needs of our students despite the issues that affect students across the state.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

-Outlier or any other read from Malcolm Gladwell. I love sociology and understanding what makes people “tick.”

-The Emotionally Healthy Leader

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

First and foremost, integrity is essential; being honest, transparent, and trustworthy builds the foundation of a healthy relationship with those we serve. People need to know they can rely on us to make decisions in their best interest without hidden agendas.

Commitment to equitable outcomes is another critical principle. Every decision should aim to create a fair and inclusive environment that ensures all students and families have access to opportunities that foster growth and success, regardless of their background. For me, this commitment comes from my own experience and understanding of the need for representation and support across all groups in Lawrence.

Fiscal responsibility is also necessary to maintain the trust of taxpayers and ensure funds are spent wisely. It’s our job to steward resources in a way that not only meets current needs but also considers the long-term health and sustainability of our district.

Empathy and accessibility are essential in this role. Being available, approachable, and ready to listen to the concerns of parents, students, teachers, and community members fosters trust and helps us make well-rounded decisions. Lastly, collaboration is crucial; working with other board members, district leaders, community stakeholders, and families allows for a diversity of perspectives and drives meaningful progress for our district.

Overall, an elected official should be a voice for the people, balancing advocacy, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to positive change for the community.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’m passionate but not emotional. Emotions are significant indicators of our feelings, but I’m careful not to allow them to dictate my decision-making. It allows me to respond instead of reacting in situations and descion making.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

First and foremost is setting and upholding a clear vision for our district. This means collaborating to establish goals that foster educational excellence, whole-child development, and safety while ensuring the board’s decisions reflect these priorities.

Ensuring fiscal accountability is another critical duty. We’re entrusted with public funds, so we must manage them responsibly to support our goals, including paying staff fairly, maintaining facilities, and investing in student resources. Fiscal oversight is not just about balancing a budget; it’s about maximizing the impact of every dollar.

Another responsibility is advocating for equitable policies that support every student’s access to high-quality education. This involves reviewing and revising policies to ensure they meet students’ needs and remove barriers that can prevent students from reaching their full potential.

Hiring and evaluating the superintendent is also key. The superintendent is responsible for implementing our district’s vision, and it’s the board’s job to select someone with the expertise and commitment to lead effectively. After that, regular, constructive evaluations help maintain accountability and alignment with our district’s goals.

Finally, engagement with the community is crucial. This role requires being available, listening to families’ and teachers’ perspectives, and fostering open communication. By maintaining strong connections with the community, we can make informed, compassionate decisions that reflect our district's diverse needs and values.

Who are your constituents?

Lawrence Township students, staff, and Community members

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

I would continue to implement and oversee our equity audit and Strategic plan, and continue to advocate for equitable policies that support every student’s access to high-quality education. This involves reviewing and revising policies to ensure they meet students’ needs and remove barriers that can prevent students from reaching their full potential.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

-I have built bi-partisan relationships with local and state leaders. This is where school “purse strings” are held, and it’s crucial to not only forge these relationships but to engage with them regularly concerning our district needs.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Q: Mark Twain has a brother; what's his name?

Answer: Choo Choo Twain

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

-The previous Mayor of Lawrence (Steve Collier) and the current mayor (Mayor Deb Whitfield).

-Mr. Steve Talley has endorsed me as well.

-Current board members: Wendy Muston and Amy Norman

-Previous board members: Carol Helmus, Reginald McGregor and Dick Freije

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Fiscal responsibility and transparency are both necessary to maintain the trust of taxpayers and ensure funds are spent wisely. It’s our job to steward resources in a way that not only meets current needs but also considers the long-term health and sustainability of our district. By being transparent with our budgeting processes, priorities, and spending, we allow the community to see exactly how their contributions are making a difference. Clear, accessible reporting and open communication about financial decisions foster trust and accountability, ensuring that our district remains financially strong and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Crystal Puckett did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Crystal Puckett did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

See also

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Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township school board At-large

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