New school board members sworn in, new officers elected
Manchester Community Schools held their first Board of Education Meeting for the 2025 year. They welcomed three new board members (left to right): Jennifer Caszatt, Sarah Roth, and Colleen Schoenfeld; and reelected Brandon Woods. Photo courtesy of Darcy Matthies.
by Sara Swanson
On January 21, three brand-new school board members, Jennifer Caszatt, Sarah Roth, and Colleen Schoenfeld, were sworn in, along with reelected member Brandon Woods, who began serving on the board in 2021. They will be joining Rebecca Harvey, who began serving on the board in 2015, Michael Tindall, who began serving on the board in 2019, and Sandra Wiitala, who began serving on the board in 2023. This represents the largest cohort of new board members at once since 2021 when Woods, Ryan Novess, Corey Horky, and Kody Naylor were all newly elected.
Who are Caszatt, Roth, and Schoenfeld?
Originally from Owosso, Mich., Jennifer Caszatt moved to Manchester with her family 27 years ago. Her background is in real estate sales/marketing and restaurant management. She has four children who all attended and graduated with honors from Manchester Community Schools. Since moving to Manchester, Caszatt has been a highly successful coach for Manchester varsity, JV, and 7th grade volleyball teams. In 2011, she coached Manchester varsity volleyball to their first-ever Cascades Conference Championship, as well as their first District title in 17 years. She ran the youth volleyball program for Manchester Community Education and volunteered as a T-ball, pitch coach, and youth softball coach for Manchester Area Youth Sports. For over a decade, Jennifer was the scorekeeper and announcer for Manchester varsity volleyball, four years for boys’ varsity basketball, and assisted many other local and regional athletic teams. In addition to sports, she regularly volunteered to help with various school activities. Her favorite and most memorable experience is being fortunate enough to have spent many years as a volunteer parent in the classroom, assisting students and teachers several days per week. Caszatt states that she is grateful for the opportunity to now serve as a trustee of the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education. She looks forward to working with her fellow board members and administration to improve the district for the benefit of the students, staff, and the entire Manchester community.
Sarah Roth was born and raised in Quincy, Mich., and then went to nursing school, obtaining her Bachelor’s of Science at Saginaw Valley State University in 2009. She began as an emergency room nurse right out of nursing school and continues to serve in this capacity, practicing contingently at the University of Michigan adult emergency room. Roth obtained her Master’s Degree in Nurse Administration from the University of Cincinnati in 2012. She married her husband in 2012 and they relocated to the city of Manchester at that time to be centrally located between their careers. They have since had three daughters, who are all currently enrolled students within the Manchester School District. Roth furthered her education by achieving her Doctorate of Nursing in Strategic Leadership, graduating in 2022 from Spring Arbor University. Roth has served as an adjunct professor for two different universities for over 10 years. She is most recently employed through the Washtenaw Intermediate School District as the Health Resource Advocate assigned to Manchester District Schools. Roth states that she is looking forward to working together collaboratively as a team with the other board members and the superintendent to make the best decisions for the students, staff, and community as a whole. Her motto is, “I will do my best to always have the students’ best interests at the forefront of all my involvement and support I will provide.”
Colleen Schoenfeld moved to Manchester in 2019 and has two of her three children, Charlie and Lucy, enrolled in Manchester schools. Her oldest son, Tray, is serving in the Coast Guard and is now stationed in Connecticut with his wife and two sons. Schoenfeld’s mother has also made Manchester her home. Schoenfeld spent more than 11 years serving in the U.S. Army and was an AH-64D Apache pilot. Following the Army, she served as an investigator with Central Michigan University and then for University of Michigan, investigating concerns related to discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. She also founded and worked for the nonprofit Center for Equity Education from 2020 until 2025. She is currently wrapping up a PhD where her work focuses on prevention of sexual harassment in the military and in other working and learning environments. She also works part time at the local Ace Hardware store. She is an active member of our community and tries to stay as involved as possible. She helps with coaching our youth wrestling team, is a member of the American Legion, the Lion’s Club, the DDA’s Michigan Main Street subcommittee, and the Manchester Area Historical Society. She also volunteers for other events (like the Chicken Broil) and organizations and looks forward to serving the community on the school board. Schoenfeld enjoys reading, working on her 1880s farmhouse, and spending time with her family and friends.
In addition to the new members joining the board, new officers were elected. Sandra Wiitalia was elected president, Michael Tindall was elected vice president, Colleen Schoenfeld was elected secretary, and Jennifer Caszatt was elected treasurer.
The next scheduled school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18, at 6pm in the Manchester Jr/Sr High School auditorium.
Thank you to Darcy Matthies for board member biographies and photos.
New board member Colleen Schoenfeld taking the oath of office with superintendent Dr. Brad Bezeau. Photo courtesy of Darcy Matthies.
Returning board member Brandon Woods taking the oath of office with superintendent Dr. Brad Bezeau. Photo courtesy of Darcy Matthies.
New board member Jennifer Caszatt taking the oath of office with superintendent Dr. Brad Bezeau. Photo courtesy of Darcy Matthies.
New board member Sarah Roth taking the oath of office with superintendent Dr. Brad Bezeau. Photo courtesy of Darcy Matthies.
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