Dear John,

 

In 2010, I was one of the student plaintiffs against the Anoka-Hennepin School District after nine students committed suicide over the course of a year because of the anti-LGBTQ+ environment that was created by the implementation inequitable and dangerous "neutriality" policies in the district.

 

 

Frankly, during that year, I was nearly the tenth suicide. It was an incredibly difficult time, but while I was searching for answers I quickly saw just what is at stake when extreme rhetoric comes from a vocal minority in the community and when the wrong people who don't share our values get elected to positions of power — particularly on the school board level.

 

 

With a renewed push by the far-right to redefine history, our community values, and to 'other' students who are just trying to live and learn as their authentic selves, I launched the School Board Integrity Project last year to fight back against hatred once again.

 

The response has been incredible. Last year, more than 50 School Board Integrity Project candidates won school board seats on their respective boards, and we won at least one seat in 24 of the 25 districts we worked in.

 

This year our effort has to be bigger. More than 300 school districts will have elections this fall and we need to be ready to support candidates running for seats on those school boards. Our children and our future depends on it.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

Kystin Schuette

Executive Director

School Board Integrity Project