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 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 the 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