Student Spotlight: Scott Sawyer

Scott Sawyer, a k-12 educational leadership doctoral student, is the deputy superintendent of the Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD). With 20 years of professional experience in education, Sawyer is a passionate advocate for service, educational leadership, and social equity.

Sawyer began his professional career as a math teacher at Chesaning Union Schools in 2003 and was promoted to director of finance in 2006. In 2010, he transitioned to Birch Run Area Schools to serve as their business manager. He joined Saginaw ISD in 2015 as executive director of human resources. In 2019, he took on the additional role of executive director of finance before being promoted to the position of deputy superintendent. Outside his responsibilities with Saginaw ISD, Sawyer is a partner attorney for Dickinson Sawyer, PLC.

Sawyer holds a bachelor's degree from Alma College and a Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, as well as licensure with the Michigan State Bar Association and United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan. He also maintains secondary teacher, school administrator, and Michigan School Business Officials certifications.

In 2021, Scott became a doctoral student in Western Michigan University’s Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership program, where he is studying special education finance in Michigan. He chose to pursue his Ph.D. at Western Michigan University to acquire both the academic and practical leadership skills—both theory and practice—offered through WMU’s Educational Leadership program. Sawyer was recognized as School Business Official of the Year for the State of Michigan in 2021. He serves as a board member for the Michigan Council of School Attorneys and the Public Outreach and Education Committee for the State Bar of Michigan.

Sawyer is a strong advocate for public education operations—specifically, finance and human resources. He regularly participates with county and state organizations—leading conversations, presentations, and publications in areas of school finance, labor relations, pandemic response, and law including, FOIA, FMLA, OMA, Title IX, 403(b)/457, state retirement systems, collective bargaining, positive storytelling, and public employee social media/free speech. Mr. Sawyer directly mentors area school business and human resources officials and provides guidance to districts throughout Michigan.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar in several bands, drawing artwork, and participating in many community service and social equity activities. Sawyer and his wife, Christine, happily share their home with a collection of cats they have rescued and adopted.