When I met Cassandra Sage this summer, I was a recent graduate of Redmond High School back from my first year of college. As a student of the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) for 13 years, and an aspiring education policymaker, my head was jam-packed full of ideas. Meeting Cassandra provided me with the perfect opportunity to discuss my experiences and present my ideas to someone who will bring those ideas to fruition.

As a parent and PTSA member in the district for more than two decades, Cassandra is a more than qualified candidate for school board. She could have written me off for being young, inexperienced, or otherwise. But she didn’t. That’s not Cassandra. She listened to me because I was one more perspective that could enhance her understanding of the issues in our district. When I demonstrated an interest in learning more, she invited me to sit in on school board meetings with her while she did her homework in preparation for this position. When I asked her what I could do to help resolve the issues in our district, she adopted me as a research aid so I could inform her about solutions that worked elsewhere. She went above and beyond to make sure my ideas were heard.

This made me realize something about Cassandra: she truly is in this for the students. She is prepared to listen to them, and she is prepared to listen to you. As a school board member, I have full faith that she will work tirelessly to ensure that ALL students of this district obtain the education that is best for them.

I might not hold any fancy titles or have children of my own who will be impacted by her decisions, but I speak from the perspective of the students of the LWSD. Follow Cassandra’s suit in listening to the students. Hear me when I say that Cassandra will do amazing things for the students of this district. Please empower her with your vote by Nov. 7!

Charlie Pangborn

Redmond