Sarah Shad Johnson for School Board | Sarah Shad Johnson for Charleston County School Board (Powered by Donorbox)

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11/07/2022

Election Day!

Tomorrow is Election Day!

There is a lot of work to do in CCSD, and we have been given the opportunity for a fresh start with single member district voting for all nine seats on the school board.

As a truly grassroots candidate, I am asking for your trust and vote in this crowded school board race. I am not affiliated with either of the two outside groups, Coalition for Kids or Moms for Liberty. My proven commitment to public schools includes a ten-year track record of standing up for our students, teachers, and families.

Here is my original campaign announcement which highlights my qualifications, experience, and knowledge for this position. Thank you!

Sarah Shad Johnson for District 2!

10/26/2022

Endorsed by Charleston City Paper

I am so excited to announce my endorsement from the Charleston City Paper!

District 2 (Mount Pleasant): Sarah Shad Johnson, a proven advocate for parents and teachers who doesn’t believe in delegating policy control. A member of the county’s District 2 Constituent School Board, Johnson has a background in law, finance and policy. She’ll bring a fresh commitment to transparency and good board governance. “I value our public education system and want all children to have a positive school experience.”

Edited 10/26/2022

10/26/2022

Recommended by CTAR

I am honored to have been selected as the recommended school board candidate for District 2 by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors!

CTAR had a two-part vetting process that included a questionnaire and in-person interviews.

10/23/2022

Endorsed by Mt. Pleasant Mayor

I am so honored to have the endorsement of Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie!

“I support Sarah for CCSD school board because I have worked with her on issues that directly affect families in our community and she always puts them first. As the husband of a career public school educator, I know Sarah is the kind of leader who will listen to those who actually teach and give them the support they need." 
-Will Haynie

10/23/2022

CCDP Highly Qualified

I am proud to announce that I was selected as the most highly qualified candidate in District 2 by the Charleston County Democratic Party’s Non-Partisan Committee!

10/11/2022

Endorsed by Parents

I am so excited to announce my endorsement from Charleston County Public School Parents!

Misty Walsh started the parent group ten years ago and now has more than 6,400 members. I appreciate her hard work in keeping parents informed about all things CCSD and in conducting a thorough candidate vetting process that included all candidates. I am honored to be on this list.

Edited 10/11/2022

10/11/2022

SCEA and CCEA Endorsement

I am proud to announce that I received the District 2 school board candidate endorsement from the Charleston County Education Association, a division of the South Carolina Education Association.

All candidates were invited to participate in a two-part vetting process that included a detailed questionnaire and a panel interview.

Having the support of our teachers means so much to me. I will continue advocating for their voices to be heard!

Edited 09/16/2022

09/16/2022

Focus on Students

One of the most rewarding parts of serving on the District 2 Constituent Board was standing on the stage at Wando High graduation each year to congratulate graduates. 

Pictured with me in 2017 are fellow constituent board members Roger O'Sullivan and Chris Nickels.

In 2019, I was able to shake hands with my daughter and more than 900 of her classmates as they walked across the stage. 

This school year, Beckham High will join the tradition at the North Charleston Coliseum.

If elected to the county school board, I will keep the focus on our students!

Edited 09/11/2022

09/11/2022

What Are Constituent Boards?

CCSD has an unusual governance structure that includes one county and eight constituent boards. I served on the District 2 Constituent Board from 2016 to 2020, and was chair for the majority of my elected term.

Constituent boards are responsible for rezoning schools, conducting student expulsion hearings, deciding student transfer requests, and making recommendations to the county school board.

Constituent boards have an important role and are very in touch with their school communities. If elected to the county school board, I will work towards improving the relationship between the county board and constituent boards. Communication is so important!

Edited 09/05/2022

09/05/2022

Vote411 Voter Guide is here!

The Voter Guide for my school board race is out!

All District 2 school board candidates were invited to share general information about their campaign and to answer four specific questions. Vote411 is a great, nonpartisan resource to learn about candidates - in their own words.

Please visit Vote411.org and research school board candidates in your area. If you live in District 2, you can compare the responses of the six candidates. Every candidate has a unique perspective, and I am very proud of my qualifications and experience.

Please share the Vote411 resource with your local contacts, especially friends who may miss it if they are not active on social media.

Thank you!

Edited 09/02/2022

09/02/2022

Awendaw Middle/High School Update

On Tuesday, I attended a District 1 Constituent Board meeting where CCSD staff gave a detailed presentation on the future middle/high school planned for the Kaiser Farm tract in Awendaw. I worked on this project for four years as a member of the District 2 Constituent Board, and I continue to follow the progress.

It was a productive meeting with lots of thoughtful and honest conversations. Jeff Borowy (COO) and Angela Barnette (Planning) provided numbers that gave the D1 constituent board an idea of how many D2 students would need to be included to make the joint school feasible for programming.

Deputy Superintendent Anita Huggins brought up the possibility of creating a partial magnet program to draw in additional students. She shared some examples from other parts of the country and said the community might decide to explore other program theme options.

Finally, county school board member Kate Darby talked about starting a blue ribbon committee of stakeholders that would work to steer the development of the school. We had a similar committee for the planning of Beckham High.

Stay tuned for more updates!

09/01/2022

Carolina Park Elementary Rezoning Update

On August 23rd, I had the chance to speak with parents, board members, and CCSD staff at the community meeting for the rezoning of Carolina Park Elementary.

The D2 Constituent Board will review new data from CCSD to decide whether to postpone rezoning or to consider new map proposals that would rezone a smaller amount of students. Stay tuned! 

Background: When I served as chair of the District 2 Constituent Board, we aggressively advocated for the expansion of CPE and petitioned the county school board to expedite the project that was approved by voters in a referendum. I will continue to advocate for the expansion to be funded and completed as soon as possible. 

08/30/2022

Q: Where is my Single Member District?

Many people are asking about the new CCSD single member districts and how voting will work this year. Here are some helpful tips below:

You will only vote in the district race for the area you live in and are registered to vote.
You will only vote for one candidate.
To find out which district is yours, enter your address in this tool to find your elected officials.
Your County Council District number will be the same as your CCSD single member district number.
Candidates elected this year in Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will serve four-year terms.
Candidates elected this year in Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 will serve two-year terms.
In 2024, we will be back to staggered, four-year terms for all seats.

Edited 08/29/2022

08/28/2022

Single Member Districts - My Commentary in the Post and Courier, 8/25/22

On August 25, 2022, the Post and Courier printed my Commentary about the reasons why the state switched CCSD school board elections from countywide at-large voting to single member district voting. To move forward, we must know the history!