Kristi Woodall is looking forward to coming home.

In a sense.

The Union native and current resident will helm the Union County School District as its next superintendent.

The school district board of trustees approved a three year contract with an annual salary of $115,000 for the 1987 Union High School grad after executive session on Monday evening.

But it’s not about the length of contract or the money for the incoming superintendent. It’s about the opportunity the board has given her to return to her alma mater as its superintendent.

She has worked in the system before as principal of Union High and knows the talent it possesses.

“I believe in the people who are there,” she said. “I have found that Union has a tremendous talent pool. I’m very impressed with the employees and admire them very much.”

Woodall never thought she was a frontrunner for the job.

She hoped her background as a Union County native, former district employee, Union grad and passion for seeing the district succeed would be made apparent through the interview process but knew the other two candidates she was up against were just as equally qualified to lead the district.

“I have a real heart for Union County and its success,” Woodall said. “I’m honored the school board chose me.”

She understands the financial situation South Carolina school districts currently face, including the Union County district, and is prepared to do whatever it takes to make the district succeed.

Woodall said the district will need to take a careful look at its programs and it’s use of funds — really examining itself moving into the future — and said it’s good for a district to do so. She added that examination gives the district an opportunity to really scrutinize what it’s doing and how those programs are benefiting its students.

Students are the key.

Woodall said Union County’s economic development is closely tied to its children and how important they are as they make decisions about what they will do after high school.

But while they are under the district’s guidance, every student will receive the education they deserve from a staff she called tremendous.

“We’re going to focus on giving every student the best we can each and every day,” Woodall said. “Everyone there will be committed to the children and their success.”

Everybody is somebody’s child, the 40-year-old said, and as such the people of Union County should know when they send their children to the school district they will be in good hands.

“When people send their children to us,” Woodall said, “we’re going to take care of them.”

School board of trustees chair Dr. Wanda All said the district was looking for someone who was willing to take on the superintendent’s position for the long haul.

Woodall was that person.

While this will be her first superintendency, she plans for it to be her only.

“I plan to retire there,” she said. “My goal is to hand my younger child her diploma. This is it for me.”