Across America, well-funded right-wing extremist groups are organizing and winning local school board elections, turning what should be collaborative conversations about student success into divisive political battlegrounds. As a result, we've seen waves of book bans, LGBTQ discrimination, and curriculum restrictions — history whitewashed, facts erased, and kids bullied. We're now at a tipping point where the consequences can no longer be denied.

With nearly 1 in 5 elected officials in the U.S. serving on a school board, school board members represent the largest single category of elected officials in the country, making these positions incredibly influential in shaping the policies that affect our children's daily lives.

I know firsthand what's at stake when extremism takes hold in our schools. In 2010, I was one of the student plaintiffs against the Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota when the Department of Justice imposed a consent decree after nine students committed suicide — many of them LGBTQ community members — because of hostile policies that created a dangerous environment. Frankly, I was nearly the tenth suicide. That experience showed me exactly what happens when the wrong people get elected to school boards.

Today, we are witnessing our public education system buckle at the hands of political activists who claim to represent parents but actually represent a vocal minority backed by massive outside funding. In these low-turnout races — fewer than 10% of voters participating — right-wing groups are leveraging outside money to install candidates who represent narrow political agendas rather than the best interests of students, families, and educators.

That's why I started the School Board Integrity Project. We're filling an urgent gap by recruiting, training, and electing school board candidates who will practice good governance, pursue academic freedom and excellence, and foster inclusive schools where every kid belongs.

Our candidates are winning because, when given the choice, voters reject extremism. Since 2023, we've helped more than 500 school board candidates run for office in 38 states, with an average win rate of 75%.

It's time we elect school board candidates who will hold the line against extremism and stand up for our kids — because the future we choose for our public schools is the future we choose for our country.

With my deepest gratitude,

Kyrstin