Sarah Belanger

Candidate Name: Sarah Belanger
Age: 36
Candidate for [Elected Position]: Williamston Community Schools Board of Education
Candidate Website: https://www.sarahbelanger4wcs.com
Candidate Contact for Public: sarah.belanger@outlook.com
Are you registered with any party? If so, please share your party affiliation: Nonpartisan
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https://www.facebook.com/SarahBelangerMI
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Please include a high quality photo of the candidate.
1. What motivated you to run for the position you are seeking election to?
I joined the Williamston Board of Education on Jan. 1, 2017, for a six-year term. I am
running for re-election for a six-year term. As a career educator, mother, small business
owner and an experienced school board member, I feel I still have a lot to offer the
Williamston Community School (WCS) district. Over the last six years I have
enjoy volunteering my time to serve and strengthen our district. As a fifth-generation
district resident, a third generation WCS graduate, and mother to four district students, I
have and continue to fully support our schools. I want our administrators, educators,
staff, and ALL our students to be successful. Working these past six years with district
leadership, I feel we have made many improvements. I look forward to the opportunity to
continuing building on these improvements. My diverse experience in leadership roles
on the board makes me a great asset for another six-year term. I’m the current board vice
president and I chair the policy subcommittee. In addition, I serve on the Ingham School
Officers Association executive board of directors representing the district. I have served
as past board secretary and treasurer. I have been a member and led board
subcommittees, policy (current chair), facilities and finance (former chairs). I have also
served on the superintendent evaluation subcommittee, served several years as the
board liaison to the Williamston Schools Foundation and I have represented the board

and WCS at several Michigan Association of School Board (MASB) Delegate Assemblies.
I received a Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree
from Michigan State University in child development. I have 15+ years teaching
experience in early childhood education and post-secondary institutions. I currently work
at Lansing Community College as a field instructor in the Child Development and Early
Education Department. 
2. What is your vision for the public body you want to serve on?
The role of a school board is to create policy, set goals, evaluate the superintendent,
review and approve budgets, curriculum, and staffing changes, and work with
administration as they administer policy change. In support of this, I helped develop the
current board goals to 1. provide high-quality educational experiences for ALL students;
2. increase the fund balance; 3. strengthen communications with students, parents, staff,
and community; 4. maintain and continuously improve the safety and security of all
schools and facilities and; 5. all schools will adopt and implement a common, evidence-
based grading system that includes feedback on non-achievement factors. As a current
Board of Education member and candidate for re-election, I will continue to support our
administrators, staff, and ALL students. My vision for the board aligns with these goals.
Since I joined the board, enrollment has increased, test scores are up, we’ve improved
our financial situation and staff salaries, and we’ve added innovative programs. We have
strengthened an environment where staff, students and families are supported. 
3. How does your vision differ from that of your opponents?
I am focused on my vision and what I can continue to bring to the Williamston Board of
Education. This includes supporting the current board goals, objectives and strategies. I
have and will continue to focus on expanding staff and student resources around mental
health, continued investments that improve the safety and security of all schools and
facilities, and technology upgrades to improve student learning experiences and
outcomes. By supporting and providing guidance to the administration, I feel optimistic
about our shared vision. There are many of opportunity to continue strengthening our
district and I’m looking forward to being a continued part of that work.
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 under funding of
schools?
While funding for schools over the years has fluctuated, in this year’s bipartisan state
budget for education we saw significant investments in K-12 education. Investments
included $9,150 per-pupil funding for every student, the highest state amount ever; $214
per-pupil mental health and school safety funding for every student; additional funding

to meet students’ individual needs for all of the nearly 200,000 special education and
710,000 at-risk students across the state; $250 million for school infrastructure; and
$10,000 in tuition for 2,500 future Michigan educators every year. Many of these historic
investments directly impact the district and the services they are able to provide.
When I joined the board in 2017 we had a 1.9% fund balance. That has grown to over
10.3% today. During my time on the board the district has paid down debts, upgraded our
financial rating, invested in buildings and facilities and made significant IT investments.
Related to investments, I fully support board goal 1. provide high-quality educational
experiences for ALL students. In pursuit of this, the board should continue to create
policy, approve budgets, and work with administration to prioritize spending and work to
provide every student a relevant, progressive, and evidence-based educational
experience with appropriate support based on data and best practice. This has and can
be accomplished through improved alignment of instruction, curricula, and local
assessments to state standards, reviews of student achievement/proficiency data, and
expanding blended learning initiatives. The one-to-one Chromebook purchases in both
the middle and high schools, adding social workers in every building, continuing
implementation of a K-12 MTSS structure that provides evidence-based tiered
intervention, strengthening Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
programs, and expanding mental health services is and will continue to benefit all
students. These all remain an area of focus for me as a candidate for re-election.
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?
As a current Board of Education member and candidate for re-election, I fully support
school of choice. We have many school of choice students attending the district. As an
award winning district, many families choose Williamston over other schools in the
region due to our exemplary educational programs, advanced placement classes, and
competitive athletic teams. School of choice students and families continue to be valued
members of our district and our extended Williamston community.
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 the use of public dollars to pay for private school tuition and costs. I do
not support vouchers for private schools. I firmly believe if vouchers were instituted we
would see significant and negative impacts on our public schools. Already limited
funding would become less and enrollment would likely drop.

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?

If vouchers are approved for private schools, this would be an issue districts across the
state would have to face. With any increase or decrease in district funding,
administration would make recommendations to the board to address any surplus and/or
deficits. As a candidate for re-election, I will continue to work with the Board of
Education and our administration to best position the district to meet the needs of
administration, staff, students and families. This includes addressing potential funding
shortfalls as a result of vouchers.
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.

I support ALL students regardless of their background, sexual orientation or gender
identity. I think it is important to provide support and resources to ALL students.
b. Please share your perspective about integrating the history of communities of
color into curriculums in the public schools.

As a public school, the Board of Education approves curriculum and the administration
oversees how that curriculum is being taught in classrooms. The curriculum adopted by
the board aligns with approved curriculum and standards from the Michigan Department
of Education. The district looks to state standards and curriculum for all subjects,
including history. I support this approach.

c. Do you support the removal of books some find objectionable from public school
shelves and public libraries? Why or why not?

I do not support the removal or censorship of books. It is my belief that no one has the
right to make rules restricting what other people read, or to make decisions for other
families. That said, I recognize that parents have the right and responsibility to make
decisions about what materials are suitable for their own families. The district currently
has opt out options for many programs and services if a family does not agree with them,
this includes a partnership between the school granting free library cards to students
through the Capital Area District Library (CADL) Student Success Initiative (SSI).
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

I do not support book removals or censorship. As mentioned, I believe no one has the
right to make rules restricting what other people read, or to make decisions for other
families.

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?
As a Board of Education member and chair of the policy subcommittee, I support
policies that will benefit and safeguard the district, its staff and students. If the
administration feels there is need for a policy around censorship and materials available
from the district, I will explore that with an open mind.
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?

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, Williamston Community Schools transitioned to a
virtual learning model. Following public health guidance from federal, state and county
health agencies the district adhered to relevant public health directives and orders. After
a period of virtual learning, a hybrid model was offered, with all students eventually
transitioning back into the classroom earlier this year. Overall, I think our administration,
staff, and students did a remarkable job adjusting to a rapid evolving public health
emergency. Despite guidance often changing, I feel the district did an exceptional job
throughout the pandemic adjusting to meet the needs of our staff and students.
b. There has been a marked loss of educational gain as a result of the shut down.
How will you address this problem?

I will continue to support the administration and our goals to provide high-quality
educational experiences for ALL students. In pursuit of this, I will continue to create
policy, approve budgets, and work with administration to prioritize spending and work to
provide every student a relevant, progressive, and evidence-based educational
experience with appropriate support based on data and best practice.

c. Did you support face masks? Why or why not?

I support mask guidance issued by our local, state, and national health agencies relating
to the COVID-19 pandemic. I trust their guidance, their expertise, their research and the
science behind their findings.

d. Do you support the COVID-19 vaccine? Why or why not?

I support all vaccinations. That said, it is also my belief that families have the choice to
do what is best for them. I believe no one should have the right to make rules or restrict
the medical treatment of others. If someone makes the choice to not get vaccinated I
respect that.

e. Do you support vaccination for all students in public schools? Why or why not?
I believe that families have the choice to do what is best for them. That said, I fully
support the vaccination of students who attend public schools. Vaccination waivers exist
for a reason. If a student or family believes vaccination is not in their best interest they
should follow the established waiver protocols.

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?
As a current school board member and candidate for re-election, I will continue to
support the administration in providing and expanding the district’s mental health
programs and services. Since joining the School Board, I’m happy to report the district
has made great strides with expanding mental health services for students and staff. Like
many districts across Michigan, Williamston has made mental health services a focus in
recent years. The district has added mental health specialists at every building to ensure
students have timely access to staff and resources. Student lead groups, like be nice
programs, have been widely successful at promoting mental health awareness and
strategies for students by creating a positive cultural change through simple daily
actions. Further, partnerships with the State of Michigan’s student safety program,
OK2SAY, has offered students and others a confidential way to report tips on potential
harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. For
staff, mental health has been a constant topic of discussion at staff meetings. Trainings
offer strategies on how best to support our educators and staff and our student's mental
health. During the 2021-2022 school year, I offered free weekly yoga sessions to
educators, administrators, and staff at the Williamston Community Schools. I started the
classes as a way to promote mental and emotional wellbeing. I look forward to being able
to continue building on this when re-elected.
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?
I will continue to support our administration in expanding mental health services,
strengthening our building and facility security, and expanding training and partnerships
with first responder agencies. What most might not know is the district has a close
working relationship with local, regional and state first responders. The district plans and

trains to prevent and respond to critical incidents that may occur. This work is vital to
ensure the safety of our administration, staff and students.
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, I firmly believe our elections are free and fair. We have a system and I trust that
system.

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 will accept any results of a recount, if that is pursed as an option.

c. Much has been made about the 2020 election. Do you believe Donald Trump
won the election? Why or why not?

No, I do not believe that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election. I believe the
election was free, fair, and there was no widespread election fraud. Countless reports,
investigations and court rulings have revealed this to be the case.

d. Do you believe there was widespread election fraud? Why or why not?
I do not believe there was widespread election fraud. As I mentioned, countless reports,
investigations and court rulings have revealed this to be the case.

e. Do you believe leaders in Washington are involved in a secret pedophilia ring?
Why or why not?

No. This conspiracy theory has been proven to be false.

f. Do you believe the Jan. 6 Capitol incident was appropriate in light of the
election? Why or why not?

No. I believe the Jan. 6 capitol incident was, and forever will be a stain on our democracy.
The Jan. 6 riots were unjustified, unpatriotic, and perpetuated by a false narrative.
12. Are you a member, or have you ever been a member or donated to any of the following
organizations:
a. Socialist party
b. Rock the Vote
c. The Democratic Party
d. Any Democratic Candidate for Office

e. The Republican Party
f. Any Republican Candidate for Office
g. The American Taxpayers Party
h. Any American Taxpayer Party Candidate for Office
i. The Heritage Foundation
j. People for the American Way
k. III Percenters
l. Proud Boys

No, I am not a member of any of these organizations. I have not donated to any of these
organizations.
13. Please share with readers and voters your qualifications for the position you seek.
As I mentioned earlier, as a career educator, mother, small business owner and an
experienced school board member, I feel I still have a lot to offer the Williamston
Community School (WCS) district. Over the last six years I have enjoy volunteering my
time to serve and strengthen our district. As a fifth-generation district resident, a third
generation WCS graduate, and mother to four district students, I have and continue to
fully support our schools. I want our administrators, educators, staff, and ALL our
students to be successful. Working these past six years with district leadership, I feel we
have made many improvements. I look forward to the opportunity to continuing building
on these improvements. My diverse experience in leadership roles on the board makes
me a great asset for another six-year term. I’m the current board vice president and I
chair the policy subcommittee. In addition, I serve on the Ingham School Officers
Association executive board of directors representing the district. I have served as past
board secretary and treasurer. I have been a member and led board subcommittees,
policy (current chair), facilities and finance (former chairs). I have also served on the
superintendent evaluation subcommittee, served several years as the board liaison to
the Williamston Schools Foundation and I have represented the board and WCS at
several Michigan Association of School Board (MASB) Delegate Assemblies. I received a
Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree from Michigan
State University in child development. I have 15+ years teaching experience in early
childhood education and post-secondary institutions. I currently work at Lansing
Community College as a field instructor in the Child Development and Early Education
Department.