Caitlin Cavanagh

City Pulse Survey, unedited

Posted

UPDATE: Due to a transcription error, Caitlin Cavanagh's  last name was incorrect. This entry has been updated to correctly reflect her last name. 

Candidate Name: Caitlin Cavanagh
Age: 34
Candidate for [Elected Position]: Lansing Board of Education
Candidate Website: www.CaitCav.com
Candidate Contact for Public: committee4caitcav@gmail.com
Are you registered with any party?: Democratic party
Please share all your social media accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/CaitlinCavanaghLansingBoardofEducation

1. What motivated you to run for the position you are seeking election to?

Why me: I see serving on the Lansing Board of Education as the natural bridge between
my career expertise as a developmental psychologist and my history of community service in
Lansing. I was appointed to the Lansing Board of Education in April 2022 to fill a vacancy. As a
sitting board member, I am committed to Lansing families and prepared to meet the needs of the
community. I am running for election to maintain the seat so that we can continue forward
progress in the district.
Why now: Lansing schools are currently facing challenges that I feel uniquely equipped
to address. Budgets have contracted, youth violence has risen, and issues of systemic inequality
are ongoing. I have the skills and training to champion policies that are most likely to effectively
address each one of these challenges. For example, I have extensive experience managing
budgets, having earned many research grants and having been part of the Budgetary Committee
of the European Union Parliament. I am an expert in issue of juvenile justice (Recipient of the
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences New Scholar Award and the Tory J. Caeti Memorial
Award, which recognizes contributions to the field of juvenile justice) and child development
(recipient of the Early Career Research Contributions Award from the international Society for
Research in Child Development). I am a founding member of MSU’s Youth Equity Project, an
interdisciplinary research collective that advances research and policy to support marginalized
youth.
Overall, I am motivated to run because I have the right set of skills to meet the moment.

2. What is your vision for the public body you want to serve on?

As a Lansing resident, I believe that schools need to attend to issues of diversity, equity,
inclusion, and justice. The Lansing School District’s equity audit revealed the many ways Black,
Brown, and multiracial students are systematically disenfranchised. I pledge to support policies
that eliminate the racial achievement gap; institute culturally responsive curriculum; dismantle
existing racial/ethnic disparities in exclusionary discipline; and cut the flow from the School-to-
Prison Pipeline.
As a researcher (i.e., tenured MSU professor whose appointment is majority research), I
believe that the best solutions are evidence-based. Too often, decisions around health, safety, and
learning are made in the absence of sound data and evidence. I pledge to let evidence guide my
decision- making, and critically re-evaluate those decisions to make sure they are still working for
Lansing.
As an administrator (i.e., Director of Undergraduate Education at MSU; sitting Lansing
Board of Education Trustee), my student-centered teaching, pro-teacher orientation, and
adherence to evidence-based practice all inform my decision-making. I pledge to bring these
qualities to the Lansing Board of Education.

CITY PULSE NOV. 8, 2022 ELECTION SURVEY CAITLIN CAVANAGH
As a developmental psychologist, I believe that children are most likely to succeed when
they are held to high, but achievable, standards. I pledge to hold Lansing students to high
standards, recognizing that learning should be applicable, empowering, and joyful.

3. How does your vision differ from that of your opponents?
Given my training and career, I bring specific expertise in child development and
evidence-based reform of child-serving systems. However, there are three positions open on
Lansing Board of Education, and six candidates. Effective leadership in Lansing schools requires
multiple perspectives and areas of expertise, including from policy-minded researchers like
myself. If I am elected, two of my fellow candidates will become my colleagues, and I will be
honored to serve with them.
4. Funding for schools has been a consistent concern for nearly three decades. Proposal 1,
passed in the 90s was supposed to level the playing field in funding assuring that districts
with distressed property values would receive comparable per pupil funding. That has not
been the case. If elected, how will you address the underfunding of schools?
Addressing underfunded schools requires experience in budgeting. During my time as a
staffer in the European Union Parliament, I developed presentations and speeches for the member
I represented on the Budgetary Committee. This was during the 2010 global financial crisis, when
very difficult decisions needed to be made. Additionally, grant writing can be a powerful tool to
fund special initiatives. In my professional career, I have worked with state, national, and private
foundations to earn 18 grants. Thus, I am adept at identifying funding opportunities and tailoring
grants to the type of funder. Overall, I am well equipped to aid the Board of Education in
budgeting, especially during financially trying times like now, as we emerge from the pandemic.
Indeed, during my brief time as an appointed Trustee on the Lansing Board of Education,
we successfully garnered over 71% of the community vote to pass a $129.7 million dollar bond
that will not raise taxes. This money will be used to make necessary infrastructure improvements
for student health and safety (e.g. air quality, safety vestibules) across schools in each part of
Lansing, and will support building four new school buildings.
Finally, it is important to identify indicators of success and monitor those indicators over
time as part of budget right-sizing. Cross-sectional information (i.e., a snapshot in time)
information about budgets provides far less actionable information than longitudinal information
(i.e., tracking outcomes over time). By monitoring which indicators of success (i.e., graduation
rates; student absences) are waxing or waning over time, it is easier to pinpoint potential causes
of longitudinal change or opportunities for intervention. Thus, the budget can be re-allocated to
programs or solutions that are more likely to improve the indicators of success over time.
5. Has school choice, which allows students and parents to apply for and attend a different
school district than the one they live in, been a success? Why or why not?
School choice has benefits and drawbacks. One clear benefit is that parents have the
freedom to choose the district and school that best fits their child’s needs and talents. For
example, in Lansing, the Pathway Promise allows parents to choose a school within the district
that focuses on a skill set they feel is best for their child (e.g., visual and performing arts, STEM,
language immersion). An additional benefit of school choice is that students who live in under-

CITY PULSE NOV. 8, 2022 ELECTION SURVEY CAITLIN CAVANAGH
resourced neighborhoods have the opportunity to attend schools in better-resourced
neighborhoods.
However, there are serious drawbacks to school choice as well. School choice is
predicated on the assumption that parents have the information and resources to make a good
decision in a timely manner. Research shows that marginalized communities often have the least
information when it comes to school choice, meaning that they are shut out of schools they might
have otherwise chosen. Furthermore, school choice replaces community schools (i.e., the idea
that all children in a given neighborhood attend the same schools), which may reduce quality of
life in communities by weakening neighborhood ties. Finally, school choice is not always a
financially sustainable option for communities, especially those shrinking in population size like
Lansing.
6. Proposals in Michigan have long sought to use public dollars to pay for private school
tuition and costs. Do you support vouchers for private schools? Why or why not?
I do not support vouchers for private schools. First, this would drain money from public
schools, which have already seen funding cuts at the state and federal level. Second, private
schools are exempt from the oversight and accountability of public schools. When public dollars
to fund private schools, the public has neither transparency nor input on how their tax funds are
being used. Additionally, private schools do not have the same federal and state requirement as
public schools to accept all student (e.g., disabled students). Therefore, some marginalized
students may not have the same access to private schools, despite their family’s tax money being
used to fund them. Finally, in the case of parochial private schools, this erodes the Constitutional
separation of Church and State.
7. If vouchers are approved, public schools may see a decline in enrollment. How would you
close the funding gap by a reduction in per pupil funding?
I align with the Lansing School District’s goal to make Lansing a destination district for
teachers, parents, and students. Rather than reactive approaches to declining enrollment, I
prioritize proactive approaches to increase enrollment.
8. Educators have been under scrutiny over LGBT youth support, LGBT history, the
American history of communities of color and more. In addition, school libraries are pulling
books off of shelves in public school libraries and public libraries.
a. Please share your perspective as you pertains to providing safe schools and
education for LGBT youth.
All students deserve to be valued- not just accepted- for who they are. This
includes LGBTQIA+ youth. I stand unequivocally with the LGBTQIA+ community and
will do everything in my power to protect youth.
b. Please share your perspective about integrating the history of communities of color
into curriculums in the public schools.
My priority is to ensure that students of all backgrounds can feel empowered to
learn. I believe that conversations regarding curriculum should happen transparently,
uplift the voices of marginalized communities, and that decisions should be evidence-
based. Research evidence suggests that a culturally responsive curriculum promotes
socioemotional competence among all students. Teaching history from multiple

CITY PULSE NOV. 8, 2022 ELECTION SURVEY CAITLIN CAVANAGH
perspectives builds empathy and improves students’ ability to think critically- both of
which are important skills in adulthood.
c. Do you support the removal of books some find objectionable from public school
shelves and public libraries? Why or why not?
Lansing School District is fortunate to be served by talented librarians. As part of
their standard procedure, they regularly engage in a transparent weeding process to
remove books for circulation that are damaged, dated, or no longer of interest to students.
I trust our librarians, who are trained professionals, to make these decisions. I do not
support the removal of books outside of that context.

d. If you support such removals, at what point does the purge of objectionable books
stop? When it is the Quran? When it is the Torah? The Nag Hamadi? The Bible?
What policies will you put in place to monitor and assess removal of books?
n/a; do not support
e. If you do not support the removal of objectionable books, what policies will you
support to stop the removal of books from public school libraries?
I support current policy, which empowers certified librarians and does not allow for the
removal of books from public school libraries by outside interest groups.

9. There has been a split on how COVID was responded to by schools, and other government
bodies. Please answer the following questions:
a. Did you support the shut down of schools during the COVID-19 crisis? Why or why
not?
When the healthcare system was overwhelmed in 2020 before vaccines and
treatments for COVID-19 were available, schools were a potential source of spread of the
virus throughout the community. Although many governmental decisions related to
COVID may have been re-evaluated in retrospect, in light of the science at the time, this
was the safest decision. Luckily, Lansing schools were able to safely reopen during the
2021-22 academic year by putting into place a comprehensive, evidence-based Safe
Return to In-Person Learning plan and a COVID Coordination Team. I feel that this
response was appropriate.
b. There has been a marked loss of educational gain as a result of the shut down. How
will you address this problem?
The pandemic impacts schools in several actionable ways, including in how to
address learning loss. I believe that wraparound approach is necessary to take on the
challenge from multiple angles, such as:
 (Re)enrolling students and supporting families toward high attendance
 Addressing learning loss through supplemental or one-on-one programming for
students who have fallen behind
 Using a differentiated educational approach; each student will be in a different
place relative to their classmates, so the “dose” of supplemental education will
naturally vary between students
 Employee burnout is widespread; attending to faculty and staff retention and
recruitment through competitive wages and benefits is the only way schools can
continue to be staffed safely and students’ learning needs can be addressed

CITY PULSE NOV. 8, 2022 ELECTION SURVEY CAITLIN CAVANAGH

 Proactively protect public health within schools through infrastructure
improvements like improved air filtration so that students and staff do not fall ill
and spend more time out of school
 Use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate students’ needs and goals in a rapidly
changing work environment, and be responsive to input from families about their
new challenges and priorities.

c. Did you support face masks? Why or why not?
Yes; I trust and understand the scientific evidence that masks slow the spread of illness.
d. Do you support the COVID-19 vaccine? Why or why not?
Yes; I trust and understand the scientific evidence that vaccination against COVID-19
protects against serious illness and death. Thus, the vaccine both saves lives while
reducing the burden on our struggling healthcare system.
e. Do you support vaccination for all students in public schools? Why or why not?
Yes; a vaccinated student body is a protected student body, regardless of the illness.
Furthermore, vaccination can prevent spreading illness to vulnerable community
members when students return home after the school day.
f. There has been a growing mental health crisis among our youth. It was present
before the pandemic, but experts warn it has gotten worse since the pandemic. If
elected, how will you address the mental health needs of our students?
Children (including young children) are facing a mental health crisis that has only
grown more acute during the pandemic. Schools can be a backstop to prevent student
mental health issues. I suggest the following steps be taken:
 Hire more mental health professionals in schools of all grade levels
 Connect parents with mental health resources in the community, particularly those
that are culturally sensitive and located near their neighborhoods
 Equip children with the language, socioemotional tools, and supportive context to
express how they are feeling and the source of their struggles so that they do not
suffer in silence

10. There have been a number of school shootings, with deeply tragic consequences for
students, teachers and administrators alike – as well as communities. If elected, what will
you do to address the school violence crisis, including school shootings?
Youth violence is a top concern among Lansing residents. As Research Advisor to Ingham
County’s juvenile court, I understand this concern through the raw numbers. However, as a
nationally-recognized expert in juvenile justice, I have the training to advance proactive and
reactive policies to most effectively address these challenges. Evidence-based means of
addressing youth violence in schools within the purview the Board of Education include:
 Supporting prosocial after-school activities like sports and clubs
 Facilitating strong adult bonds with teachers, counselors, coaches, and staff
 Increasing the role of restorative justice in school conflict resolution
 Target hardening (i.e., making it more difficult for weapons to enter schools through
changes to school infrastructure and policy, such as building secure vestibules and
requiring ID to enter)
 Partnering with existing grassroots youth anti-violence organizations in Lansing (e.g.,
People Ready Activating Youth (PRAY); Advance Peace), which are best positioned to
understand the specific needs of their communities.

CITY PULSE NOV. 8, 2022 ELECTION SURVEY CAITLIN CAVANAGH

11. Elections have become a serious concern for some voters. Please answer the following
questions:
a. If you lose your election, will you accept the results? Why or why not?
Yes, of course. Accepting election results is foundational to democracy.
b. If your election is close and you chose to pay for a recount, will you accept the result
of a recount? Why or why not?
Yes; I trust the democratic process.
c. Much has been made about the 2020 election. Do you believe Donald Trump won
the election? Why or why not?
No, he did not win the election.
d. Do you believe there was widespread election fraud? Why or why not?
No; as a poll worker, I have experienced firsthand the intensive training, procedural fail-
safes, and integrity of my fellow citizens who patriotically ensure safe and fair elections.
e. Do you believe leaders in Washington are involved in a secret pedophilia ring? Why
or why not?
No.
f. Do you believe the Jan. 6 Capitol incident was appropriate in light of the election?
Why or why not?
No; refusing to disrupt the peaceful transition of power has no role in a democracy.
12. Are you a member, or have you ever been a member or donated to any of the following
organizations:
a. Socialist party- no
b. Rock the Vote- no
c. The Democratic Party- yes
d. Any Democratic Candidate for Office- yes
e. The Republican Party- no
f. Any Republican Candidate for Office- no
g. The American Taxpayers Party- no
h. Any American Taxpayer Party Candidate for Office- no
i. The Heritage Foundation- no
j. People for the American Way- no
k. III Percenters- no
l. Proud Boys- no
13. Please share with readers and voters your qualifications for the position you seek.
Experience in Education: I am a tenured Associate Professor in the School of Criminal
Justice at Michigan State University. I my PhD is in Developmental Psychology, specializing in
youth development and the law. My research addresses how to make youth-serving systems (e.g.,
the juvenile justice system; the child welfare system; the education system) more effective,
equitable, and supportive of youths' developmental needs.
I am also the Director for Undergraduate Education in the School of Criminal Justice
(SCJ). In this role, I am responsible for all curricula, programming, credits, communications, and

CITY PULSE NOV. 8, 2022 ELECTION SURVEY CAITLIN CAVANAGH
resources for SCJ undergraduate students. Thus, I am well positioned to understand what Lansing
students need to succeed should they choose higher education.
Finally, I am a Core Member of MSU’s Youth Equity Project, a group of
interdisciplinary researchers who advance research and policy in support of marginalized youth
and their families as they navigate overlapping government systems.
Experience in Policy: I have over a decade of experience working with government and
policy at multiple levels.
At the county level, I serve as a Research Advisor for Ingham County. In this role, I
manage, analyze, and present all juvenile justice and program data for the Ingham County Youth
Center, Ingham Academy, and the 30 th Circuit Court- Family Division to ensure that the county
uses evidence-based practice and adjusts programming to fit youths’ developmental needs. This
also allows me an intimate familiarity with the challenges facing the most marginalized youth in
our community.
At the state level, I consult for the Michigan Association for Family Court Administration
(MAFCA) to promote the evidence-based, developmentally-sound practice in juvenile courts
across Michigan.
At the international level, I worked as a staffer in the European Union Parliament in
Brussels, Belgium- the equivalent of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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