2026 Board of Education Candidates
Cazenovia CSD Board of Education: Election 2026
NEW A Candidate Meet & Greet will take place on Monday, May 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the High School Auditorium Foyer.
Five candidates filed nominating petitions for four available seats (terms as follows). The candidate with the most votes will serve the longest term, the candidate with the second-most votes will serve the second-longest term, so on and so forth.
- A three (3) year term (May 20, 2026 - June 30, 2029)
- A three (3) year term (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029)
- A two (2) year term (May 20, 2026 - June 30, 2028)
- A one (1) year term (May 20, 2026 - June 30, 2027)
Jeffrey Dewan
My interest in serving on the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education is grounded in a deep commitment to both this community and the success of its students. I was born and raised in Cazenovia and now live on Lincklaen Street with my wife, Erin, and our three children: Lillian (5), Penelope (4), and Harrison (1). Cazenovia is not only where I grew up but it is where I am choosing to raise my family, making the strength of our schools deeply personal to me.
When the opportunity arose last August to apply for an appointment to the Board, I quickly threw my hat in the ring. Serving in this capacity allowed me to better understand the responsibilities and impact of the role while reinforcing my desire to contribute in a more lasting way through a full term.
Professionally, I have spent my entire career in higher education, with experience spanning admissions and advancement. Through this work, I have developed a strong understanding of student pathways, enrollment trends, and the importance of aligning institutional priorities with community needs. My background in fundraising and donor relations has also strengthened my ability to think strategically, steward resources responsibly, and build meaningful relationships in support of long-term goals. I am committed to approaching district decisions with a focus on fiscal responsibility, ensuring that taxpayer resources are managed thoughtfully, transparently, and in ways that directly support student success.
School board service is often described as a thankless role, and while it can be challenging, it is also an essential form of community leadership. My motivation to serve is rooted in a genuine desire to represent and reflect the voices of Cazenovia. I value building relationships and engaging with community members, and I believe strongly that effective governance begins with listening.
My goal as a board member is to ensure that a wide range of perspectives, especially those that may not always be heard, are acknowledged and thoughtfully considered in district-level decision-making. By fostering open dialogue and bringing forward diverse viewpoints, I hope to contribute to decisions that are both inclusive and in the best interest of all students.
Jan Woodworth
I live in the town of Fenner, on a small farm, with my husband, Mark (Woody), a Cazenovia HS graduate, ‘83. We raised 3 children who all graduated from Cazenovia in the classes of ‘10,‘12. ‘14. I have lived in the district for 35 years. I have my BS, MPS and Ph.D. from Cornell University and am a Professor at Oswego State University in the Department of Career and Technical Educator Preparation. I’ve been at SUNY Oswego for 25 years and was a high school teacher of Agriculture prior to that. I have served on the Board of Education for the past 15 years, serving as President for 7 of those.
The Cazenovia School district is facing some challenges that have resulted from State Aid revenues remaining relatively flat while expenses to the district, such as health insurance, fuel costs (buildings and vehicles) and so much more continue to rise. That leaves a gap that either results in cuts to programs and opportunities for students, or raising taxes for all of us. We have tried to balance cuts and tax increases to be responsible to both our taxpayers and our students who we are here to serve. As a taxpayer who is moving into the older demographic in our community, I very much want to keep taxes low; but as an educator of more than 40 years, I truly want what gives our students the best educational opportunities that will help make them the best and most responsible citizens they can be. I believe a strong school system begets a strong community and higher property values for all of us.
I’m proud of the work we have done on the Board and feel we are heading into a time of potential change for the district. We want to keep the opportunities (AP and college credits, CTE, music, art, clubs, sports, special needs programming) for our students, but with fewer students and rising costs, that becomes more difficult. The merger study we are currently engaged in will give us a better picture of what it might mean to merge, or not. Graduation requirements are changing with NYS’s Portrait of a Graduate, designed to meet the needs of more students in more ways. As a Board, it is our job to meet these changes and challenges in a way that is responsible to both our students and taxpayers.
I have truly enjoyed being part of the Board and feel I have been able to bring a lot of perspective as a result of my background as a teacher, teacher educator, parent, agriculturist and tax payer. I serve to represent all students and all taxpayers. I have a deep interest in education and would like to continue to contribute to the positivity that surrounds the Cazenovia School District.
Elizabeth Blackburn
Elizabeth Blackburn, originally from sunny southern California, has been a resident of the Cazenovia Central School District since 2012, and has frequented central New York since the days she earned her BA in mathematical economics from Colgate University in the late 1990’s. She has worked for almost three decades running several businesses, ranging from managing a home construction firm to her own bookkeeping business to her current occupation, CEO of Dizzy Lizzie’s Farm.
Elizabeth is heavily rooted and invested in helping her community, whether it is through her business offering local, healthful organic produce and food products, or via her numerous volunteer activities. She is a frequent volunteer for PTA events, school functions and field trips, ran a local 4H chapter for several years and is currently the chair of the Cazenovia Farmers Market. Elizabeth has a daughter currently in attendance in Cazenovia Middle School, and a husband who is active in the local community as well.
Elizabeth’s goal in running for the school board is to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the myriad contemporary issues and concerns here in the district. These are things she needs to utilize almost daily in her occupation, where creative solutions and adaptive management are a necessity to the never-ending challenges.
Our district is in the midst of dealing with what many similar districts with declining enrollments are facing throughout upstate NY. There are the obvious budgetary conundrums, and many well-founded concerns amongst community members, parents, school staff and our students with how we will best navigate through whatever lies ahead. As a member of the board, Elizabeth will approach these problems and concerns similarly to how she addresses issues on the farm. First and foremost she will approach any issue with an open mind – there are no right or wrong answers until they have been proven so. She will gather as many facts and as much community input as necessary to help the board and administration make informed and mindfully balanced decisions. She is also a firm believer that any decisions formed or goals made should be easily but thoroughly evaluated to assess degree of success and identify areas in need of improvement, much akin to our students’ report cards.
As a parent of a child in CCSD, a district resident/taxpayer and a local business owner, Elizabeth already has many of your interests and concerns in mind, and is looking forward to thoughtfully representing the community via her participation on the board.
Emily Wiemers
As an educator, economist, and Cazenovia mom, I know that the decisions made over the next few years will shape our schools for a generation. I am running for the Cazenovia Board of Education because I want to be part of making those decisions well.
I moved to Cazenovia with my husband Dennis Rasmussen and our son Sam in 2019. Sam joined Burton Street Elementary School in first grade and is currently a seventh grader at Cazenovia Middle School. My husband and I both teach at Syracuse University. I have taught at the university level for more than fifteen years at both public and private institutions, and I hold a master’s degree in finance and a PhD in economics.
I am running for the school board because my values as an educator and parent align with the mission of the Cazenovia School District. I believe that the job of a school district is to provide excellent educational pathways for all students. This means meeting students where they are and preparing them for a bright future, whether they pursue college, technical training, a career, or military service. What makes Cazenovia schools special is that they offer students multiple routes toward graduation and future careers while encouraging them to be well-rounded and deeply grounded in their community. Our schools offer students big school opportunities in a small community setting.
The Cazenovia School District is confronting serious financial headwinds. Like all of us, the district faces sharply rising costs for things like healthcare and utilities. Funding from the state has not kept pace, which has led to budget shortfalls. In the coming years, the school board will need to make hard decisions about how to provide the education our students deserve in a way that the district can afford. I bring to the board training in economics and finance to help chart a fiscally responsible path forward that keeps our students thriving. This means working collaboratively with administrators and board members to scrutinize every budget line, seeking efficiencies that protect the classroom, and being honest with our community about the tradeoffs ahead.
Since joining the board last September, I have been a consistent voice for keeping students at the center of our financial decision-making. I have been privileged to witness the incredible work our teachers, staff, and administrators do to help students grow as scholars, citizens, and people. From success in competitions like Lego League and Academic Decathlon, organizing community events like the recent Earth Day celebration, competing at the highest levels in sports, and going on to top colleges and careers – our students shine. They prove what is possible when a community invests in its schools.
My goal as a board member is to use my experience as an educator, my heart as a mother, and my training as an economist to protect our educational mission for current and future generations of students in Cazenovia.
Sasha Rasmussen
Parent • Educator • Partner
Building strong schools through partnership between families, educators, and our community.
Sasha Rasmussen is a dedicated parent, educator, and proud member of the Cazenovia community, committed to serving as a strong partner in supporting the future of Cazenovia schools. As both a parent and an educator, she brings a unique perspective rooted in experience, care, and collaboration.
With 13 years of experience in public education as both a teacher and an administrator, Sasha offers a thoughtful, informed, and balanced approach to decision-making. Her experience in both rural and urban school settings has shaped her ability to understand diverse student needs and the broader challenges facing today’s schools. She is focused on supporting academic excellence, responsible budgeting, and strong partnerships between schools and families.
As a mother of three children, Sasha understands the importance of safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments. She is passionate about ensuring every child feels supported and set up for success in the classroom, with opportunities to engage in activities that match their interests, including extracurriculars and athletics.
Sasha believes strongly in supporting educators and recognizes the critical role teachers and staff play in student success. She is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where educators feel valued and supported in their work.
Sasha and her family are proud to call Cazenovia home. She is actively engaged in the community and values the strong connections that make it a special place to live and raise a family.
Sasha believes in being a true community partner. She values open communication, transparency, and working together to make thoughtful decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of the district.
Deeply invested in both the present and future of the community, Sasha Rasmussen is running for the Cazenovia School Board to help maintain strong schools, support students and educators, and ensure a connected, thriving community.
