Sarah Ortega has a bachelor's degree in government from Smith College and a master's degree in national security and strategic studes from the Naval War College. She is on the board of Virginia Symphony Orchestra and also volunteers as a CASA (court appointed special advocate). She has three children.

Sarah is a current member of the Williamsburg-James City County School Board. She was elected in 2021 is and serving her second term, both as board chair. 

Sarah has worked as a strategic communications consultant and had various positions on Capitol Hill, at the White House, and a the Department of State.

Believes parents need to trust that their children will be safe and well-cared for while at school.

- Believes parents need to trust that their children will be safe and well-cared for while at school.

School Violence

Supports offering more vocational training options for WJCC students.

- Supports offering more vocational training options for WJCC students.

School Curriculum

Believes teachers are "highly educated, highly skilled professionals who should be compensated and respected accordingly."

Believes budget decisions should ensure a positive impact on student success.

- Believes teachers are "highly educated, highly skilled professionals who should be compensated and respected accordingly."
- Believes budget decisions should ensure a positive impact on student success.

School System Budget

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Sarah G. Ortego

- The school board runs the public school system, and it is entirely independent from the rest of the county government. 
- School board members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day. 
- Some school board members are elected by the entire city, while others represent specific districts. 
- School board members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.