There have been many new additions to the Marcus Whitman Board of Education over the last few years. Crystal Tomion is one of the new faces on the board this year and she is committed to making a difference here at Whitman.

She and her husband Alan own and manage Tomion’s Farm Market in Penn Yan. In addition to the farm market, she has been a nurse for twenty years. With the farm market and her nursing career she doesn’t have much free time for hobbies, but somehow she says she always becomes involved in the activities that her children are interested in.

She feels that she adds a lot to the board, especially because she has children in the district. She says, "Having children in the district makes me more aware of the issues relating to education and the wellness of our children." Mrs. Tomion decided to become a board member so she could "be closer to the needs, concerns and successes of our district." She believes that if the board is very diverse, with different thoughts and opinions, ultimately the board will be able to make the best decisions that benefit the students and district as a whole.

The board has some major challenges this year and in the coming years because of the decrease in funding to the district. She hopes to make a difference in the district by coming up with creative ways with the budget "so we can continue to offer all of our valued programs here at Marcus Whitman that make our students well rounded and successful in their futures."