On the Record With ... Michelle Graham

She’d been a “closet school board observer,” she said, but until the controversy over the school’s now-under-construction fieldhouse, she’d never been one to speak up at meetings.

But sitting there, listening to the “naysayers” go on about fiscal responsibility, she decided to add her two cents – to the pleasure of many of the other student-athlete parents present.

Graham has two boys in high school: DJ, a senior who runs cross country and track and coaches youth basketball, and Joe, a freshman who plays on the football and basketball teams.

She also oversees 48 youth umpires through the Richmond-Burton Baseball (and Softball) Association.

When board President Tom Wisinski stepped down in August, the board picked her to fill his seat. Graham was sworn in at the Oct. 17 meeting, and said she hopes to keep the seat through the April election.

Graham recently spoke to reporter Emily Coleman about her plans.

Coleman: What are you going to campaign on?

Graham: The school board is in a good place, so it’s not like there’s a glaring issue that I can’t wait to jump in on. I do want to be part of the fieldhouse and how they lend it out to different groups, because I know right now it’s not very scientific, and I’m interested in the curriculum committee.

Coleman: Why do you think the fieldhouse is important?

Graham: They all, every one of the kids, need an opportunity to practice what they like and just be active, participating in groups and clubs – and it’s not just about athletics in that fieldhouse.

Coleman: How did you get involved with the youth umpire association?

Graham: The person who was in charge stepped down. They changed one year to have one person just scheduling all of the kids, and that was a disaster. There was no training for the kids. ... And I went to the board and said, “You know, I’m going to have time now. My son’s not going to be playing travel baseball. I’m willing to take it over.”