Statement: School Board Integrity Project Condemns Supreme Court Decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor as “Permission Slip for Bigotry and Hatred”
June 27, 2025 — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case concerning parents who claim their religious beliefs are violated by age-appropriate curriculum and books featuring LGBTQ characters. By ruling in favor of these parents, the Supreme Court not only ruled against educators, but undermined academic excellence and the freedom to learn.
In response to the Supreme Court’s Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, the School Board Integrity Project Founder and Executive Director, Kyrstin Schuette, released the following statement:
“The far right’s influence in America’s public schools is spreading at an alarming rate, and the Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor is nothing short of a permission slip for bigotry and hatred. While this ruling allows parents to opt their children out of public school curricula they find objectionable, it does not — and should not — prevent public schools from adopting inclusive curricula. That’s why it’s more important than ever to invest in recruiting, training, and electing school board members who will defend academic excellence and foster public school communities where every kid belongs.
As Justice Sotomayor said in her dissent, this ruling “threatens the very essence of public education.” When children are blocked from hearing stories about LGBTQ people or anyone different from their parents or the community in which they’re raised, they’re robbed of the freedom to learn more about the world in which they must live, and perhaps even themselves.”
About School Board Integrity Project:
The School Board Integrity Project (SBIP) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to supporting candidates who prioritize the success of all students and the values essential to strong public education systems. SBIP works across Minnesota and nationwide to recruit, train, and support candidates for local school boards who are committed to championing the values of integrity, respect, excellence, belonging, and trust.
For more information, please visit schoolboardintegrityproject.org.