Meet Sarah Blissett, Subdistrict 3 candidate for District 186 board of education
Editor's note: This is part of a series of articles previewing candidates vying in the April 4 consolidated election. Early voting is underway.
Sarah Blissett joked that she had already bought one new pair of shoes pounding the pavement in her effort to get elected to the District 186 board of education from Subdistrict 3.
"I might have to buy another new pair before April 4 gets here," she added.
Blissett emerged as the candidate to take over the seat from school board president Scott McFarland, who resigned in February 2021 after taking a job in Missouri. The decision to run for a full term came down to family, she said.
"I'm a single mom. Both (of my kids) said they wanted me to run, and they liked what I was doing and so we made the decision together as a family," Blissett explained. "It impacts them, too."
As for her record, Blissett said she was pleased to see the board unanimously vote to approve metal detectors in the district's high schools and alternative schools and eventually its middle schools. It is an issue she championed after the Nov. 17, 2021, fatal stabbing of Pierre V. Scott Jr. outside of Lanphier High School.
Last year, Blissett proposed the district add American Sign Language (ASL) as a language choice, which is being considered. The Illinois School Code recognizes the use of ASL as part of a school's curricula.
Asked what sets her apart from her opponents, Spurgeon Johnson and Jessica Bandy, Blissett said her non-partisanship.
"Both of my opponents are precinct committeepersons for their respective parties, and I don't think that you should have to have political help just to serve on a school board," Blissett contended. "When I mention that (to people), they're receptive to that, and they are thankful that I'm open about that information with them."
Sarah Blissett
Age: 41
Occupation: Quality analyst, Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois
Family: Two children: Josh, a junior at Lanphier High School and Donovan, an eighth grader at Washington Middle School
Political experience: Appointed to Subdistrict 3 seat on Feb. 16, 2021, to fill a vacancy left by the departure of Scott McFarland.
Education: Associate's in business management, Southern New Hampshire University. Pursuing bachelor's degree in business management, Southern New Hampshire University.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sarah Blissett seeks election to Springfield District 186 school board
