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I bring a broad range of leadership, governance, and professional experience to board service, including nine years on the Shenendehowa (Shen) Board of Education, more than 20 years of volunteer service and leadership in our schools and community, and over 30 years of professional experience in fiscal oversight, compliance, and audit. I served as board president from 2022–2024, helping lead one of the region’s largest districts through complex financial and operational challenges. I also helped grow Shen’s STEM and robotics program to 49 elementary and seven middle school teams, and the PTA Council recently established the Naomi Hoffman PTA Council Scholarship Award in recognition of my years of service to students and families.
Watching my children grow and thrive in Shen inspired me to give back to the community that gave so much to my family. My passion for supporting public education has guided my volunteer service and community involvement for many years, particularly in advocating for student safety and academic success. During my tenure, I have successfully balanced the significant responsibilities of serving on the board while remaining engaged and accessible throughout the district. These experiences mean I don’t just understand the issues facing our schools, I have lived them. My motivation remains simple: to serve as a thoughtful bridge between families and district leadership while keeping students at the center of every decision.
Shenendehowa’s greatest challenge is maintaining the high quality educational programs our community expects while navigating increasing fiscal and legislative pressures. We continue to face staffing shortages in areas such as special education, technical education, and transportation while also strengthening mental health supports and ensuring equitable opportunities for students. The board must balance these needs within the tax cap while managing rising operational costs, evolving state mandates, and implementing full day kindergarten this fall. Experienced leadership and fiscal responsibility are essential to protecting Shen’s tradition of academic excellence and keeping students at the center of every decision.
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Students are our central focus, but we do not educate children in isolation. Parents are a child’s first teachers and provide valuable perspective on student needs. Teachers and staff provide the instruction, support, and safe learning environments students need to succeed. Without support and respect for our educators and staff, even the best policies will fail in the classroom. The administration carries out the board’s vision and manages the district’s day to day operations. The community supports our schools through public trust and taxpayer investment. Each constituency plays a vital role in student success, and the board’s responsibility is to ensure those voices are heard, respected, and reflected in district decision making.
I am seeking your support as a leader who values empathy, collaboration, and thoughtful decision making. As our district works with a newly appointed superintendent, implements full day kindergarten, and navigates evolving state mandates, experienced and steady leadership matters. My experience on the Shen Board has taught me the importance of listening carefully, working collaboratively, and keeping students at the center of every decision. I would be honored to continue serving Shenendehowa by providing institutional knowledge, fiscally responsible decision making, and community perspective while helping ensure the district remains focused on the success and well being of our students during this important time of transition.
Campaign Mailing Address
24 Grissom Dr., Clifton Park, NY 12065
Shenendehowa Board of Education Member
Okte Elementary PTA Co-President
Okte Elementary PTA Secretary
Okte Elementary Partnership Team
Acadia Middle School PTA Secretary
Shenendehowa PTA Council Secretary
Ronald McDonald House of the Capital Region dinner volunteer
Shenendehowa Education Foundation Board Member
Shenendehowa Educaiton Foundation Secretary
College of St. Rose - Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math
College of St. Rose - Master of Science in Reading
Elementary teacher since 1996
I have a longstanding commitment to children, education, teaching, fiscal responsibility, and community service. Serving on the Board represents a meaningful way to bring all of those values together in service to my community. I have always been interested in serving on the BOE but for many years the timing wasn’t right. As a busy parent my priority was being present for my children—driving them to activities, supporting their interests, and volunteering in more immediate, hands-on ways through school and community organizations like the PTA.
Now, with one child in college and another who is in high school, my family is more independent, and I have the time and capacity to take on a larger role. I see this as the right moment for me.
The large size of the Shenendehowa School District is always a concern for me. As an educator and parent I feel strongly that each student in the district feels safe and seen. It is important that the district allocates funds so that there are a variety of activities for students to participate and succeed in. Shen does a good job at making the large district feel smaller. Each school transition seems like a thoughtful next step rather than an overwhelming leap. As a Board member, I will continue to work to act fiscally responsibly to ensure that these many opportunities remain for students and to keep programs that enable this big place to continue to feel like a community within a community.
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I agree that all constituencies are equally important which is why each viewpoint needs to be considered. Each policy, financial decision, and programming decision must be student centered. Educating students is the primary focus of a school district and all resolutions must be in the best interest of our students.
I currently hold a seat on the Shenendehowa Board of Education. I was appointed in January, which has given me the unique opportunity to serve on the Board for a short time before seeking a full three-year term. Over the past few months, I’ve focused on listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and gaining a deeper understanding of the role and responsibilities.
That experience has been invaluable. I feel much better prepared to begin the next term with a strong foundation and a clearer perspective. While I will continue to listen, learn, and ask questions—because that’s an essential part of good leadership—I am now better equipped to contribute as an active and informed participant from day one.
I am an attorney and businessman with two decades of professional experience in compliance and business matters.
I hold a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School focused on Business Law and Civil Litigation; an LL.M. from Georgetown Law in Securities and Financial Regulation; and a Bachelors from SUNY Oneonta in English and Sociology.
I have served as trusted counsel and advisor to business clients for over 14 years guiding them through all manner of complex transactions and regulatory burdens.
I was a founding member of the Board of Trustees for The Sara Marie School - a private / non-profit pre-k and elementary school in Clifton Park, NY. During my term on the board I served as both vice-chair and chairman.
I am motivated by a desire to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for my children and to be a more involved participant in the community as a whole.
Overall, my priorities are ensuring a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff, while also ensuring that we are implementing an educational program that prepares students for the future in the face of an ever-evolving technological landscape.
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The board's duties and responsibilities are similar to that of a corporate board of directors. Ultimately, the school district must serve the needs of its students (and equally their parents); as a result, they should be the primary beneficiary of the work of the entire district as an organization.
The administration, teachers, and staff, serve the mission of the organization as directed by the Board. The Board answers to the community.
To the extent that any of the constituencies above are voting members of the community, the board is accountable to them.
The board has a duty to make informed decisions that factors in the perspective and input of each of these constituencies. Transparency and communication are critical.
Most, if not all, of the conversations I've had with community members and constituency groups focus around transparency, open communication, and actual collaboration with the Board.
The various concerns I've heard all seem reasonable to me. I am committed to work with all constituencies to address problems in reasonable and/or realistic ways.
To the extent folks identify a problem or a concern, I would ask that they come to the table with more than just a complaint but, rather, with a potential solution, the willingness to find common ground, and the wherewithal to take ownership of helping implement solutions.
We are a community, we should work together to ensure we are raising our kids to be capable and prepared human beings.
MS,Health Law,Albany Law;BS,Elem Ed&Spanish,Russell Sage Student Advocacy/Community&School Engagement/Organizational Leadership/Board Governance/Compliance Practices/Budget Monitoring&Fiscal Oversight/Continuous Improvement; Former classroom teacher,community advocate,paralegal,RPI Parent Council,district committees;22+yrs Shen Parent,advocacy&leadership roles;actively supporting our students,teachers&staff, families&community;PTA President&volunteer working collaboratively to strengthen school connections&support student success;focused on positive learning environments; Committed to ethical leadership, transparency,student achievement&supporting wellness of all students
I believe in public education and public service which is why I chose to seek a term as President of the Gowana PTA. I am not deterred from putting in the time, dedication, and commitment to serve as a member of the Board of Education. I have a proven and successful track record of working with families, teachers, staff, administration and community. I engage each challenge and opportunity with an open mind and invite all involved to share their feedback and input on how to approach a decision. As someone who has been involved for over 22 years at Shen, I am committed to working closely with diverse partners, listening to the experts, and focusing on our common goals.
My biggest concern for education in the coming year at Shen is the critical need to increase transparency and communication across all areas. Over 22+ yrs experience has shaped my deep understanding that stakeholder engagement fosters positive outcomes. Our families, teachers & staff, administration, & community are all a part of the learning process, and deserve a voice & seat at the table during discussions that affect our students. To strive for Shen excellence and keep the focus on best student outcomes, we must rely on these valuable groups and open communication to influence guidance.
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I strongly agree that students are the primary focus and must always be at the forefront of every discussion, making students the most important stakeholder.
Additionally, I strongly agree and view families, teachers and staff, the administration, and the community as essential, valuable, and trusted partners to providing the best possible outcomes for student success.
Shen Succeeds When We Work Together!
Learn more about my candidacy "Sarah Schanz for Shen BOE" on Facebook. Don't forget to VOTE on May 19th at Gowana Middle School!
