School Boards Matter

Thanks to Rev. Oby Ballinger for creating this Great Opportunity.

SCHOOL BOARDS MATTER

In a typical school board election, voter turnout is extremely low, often ranging from just 5% to 10% of eligible voters. But school boards make incredibly consequential decisions regarding LGBTQ-affirming policies, funding for special needs, and diversity-inclusive policies, which can shape the experiences of students, staff, parents, and community throughout a district. So this fall, Prism has been working with partners like the School Board Integrity Project and OutFront Minnesota to organize voter information sessions in key areas that have school board contests this fall.

We aren’t going to be endorsing specific candidates, but are aware that groups opposed to LGBTQ equality like the Minnesota Parents Alliance are endorsing candidates in Anoka-Hennepin, Lakeville, Duluth, Prior Lake-Savage, South Washington County, Fridley, and Wayzata. We’re encouraging our leaders and allies to make a plan now to vote on or before November 4th, see if your school district is having elections this year (map), find the candidates on your ballot by checking the Secretary of State’s website, and make sure that our values are represented by the leaders elected next month.

In addition to doing your research online, come in person to learn what’s at stake in school board races at nonpartisan events tonight October 8th in Eagan (with a candidate forum to follow), plus tomorrow night October 9th in Woodbury and Fridley. I hope to see you soon at one of the events detailed and linked below. Also let me know if you’d like to join some phone efforts in the coming weeks to make sure that our values are represented at the ballot box!

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Bring a group from your congregation to increase the impact and potential of this engagement!