Fourth candidate files to run for school board
Sarah Roth, DNP, MSN, RN
by Sara Swanson
We reported at the end of July, once the deadline had passed for getting on the ballot, that only three candidates had registered to run for the four school board seats up for election this November. Until very recently it was unclear who would fill that fourth seat. We now have a fourth candidate as Sarah Roth has registered as a write-in candidate.
Roth explained who she is: “My name is Sarah Roth, and I am a write-in candidate for the upcoming election for Manchester School Board. My husband, three daughters, and I live in the wonderful community of Manchester with our three girls all attending Manchester Community Schools. Some of you might recognize my face or name as I am currently employed by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District as a Health Resource Advocate/School Nurse at the Manchester School District location. I have been in that position since November 2023. It has been my pleasure to be able to serve in this position and become familiar with the Manchester School District. I continue to strive every day to better our health and safety at the schools between all three buildings.”
She also explained why she decided to run for school board, saying, “One of my main goals, if elected to the Manchester School Board, is to bring additional safety measures to our buildings. I believe safety should be a number one priority at the leadership and board level of school districts and I think Manchester School District can improve in this area. If you plan to vote in the November election, write my name in for the vacancy spot on the Manchester school board. I will do my best to always have the students’ best interests at the forefront of all my involvement and support I would provide.”
The four seats that are up for election are currently held by president Brandon Woods; treasurer Corey Horky; trustee Ryan Novess; and recently appointed trustee Dan Budd. Of the four, only Woods is running to retain his seat. Colleen Shoenfeld and Jennifer Caszatt, who haven’t been on the school board before, are also running and will appear on the ballot.
A write-in candidate’s name will not appear on the ballot, but if they’ve filed with the county, they will be able to accumulate valid write-in votes and can be elected to the school board. The Board of Education Secretary, Darcy Matthies, who has been working with Washtenaw County Deputy Clerk/Program Manager of Elections on this issue, explained that write-in school board candidates who have filed with the county do not have to meet a minimum threshold of votes to be elected in November, so long as they receive more than the next highest candidate.
As of now this is still not a contested election as there are four candidates, including Roth, running for four positions. However, the window doesn’t close until October 25 at 4pm to file to run as a write-in candidate for school board, so there remains the possibility that this will still become a contested election.
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