INTEGRITY: We believe that school board candidates, first and foremost, must have integrity. For Minnesota's students to thrive, they need to know that school board leadership will always put them first – especially above polarizing political interests. Candidates should aim to create an educational environment where our students can grow into thoughtful, engaged adults.

RESPECT: The ever-rising temperature of the rhetoric surrounding education must be addressed, and that begins with the reinstatement of respect. We expect school board members to lead with respect, compassion, and care while allowing space for productive and civil dialogue about the issues community members may disagree on.

EXCELLENCE: Minnesotans expect and deserve excellence in our public education systems. If we are to strive for excellence, we need leaders who will prioritize the achievement and success of our students. Our candidates recognize that an excellent education includes an honest depiction of our country’s history, an appreciation of science- and evidence-based data and sources, books depicting a variety of perspectives and experiences, and much more. It also requires providing teachers the full complement of resources they need to support all students in their educational journeys.

BELONGING: Every student in Minnesota deserves to feel a sense of belonging in their educational institutions, regardless of their differences. Electing leadership that will prioritize safety, understanding, and a welcoming environment for our students to come and learn as their authentic selves is paramount. Our candidates should be advocates for students of every background regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, faith, ability, identity, or zipcode. They must be willing to push back on the politicization of our children’s lives and well-being and lead with empathy.

TRUST: The erosion of trust within our educational institutions – and those who serve within them – is unacceptable. We must elect leaders who will ensure we have the best and the brightest in positions of power as we rebuild trust in our systems. Our candidates reject any attempt to spread lies about teachers and administrations, their curriculums, and their motives. We believe that those who serve within our educational institutions represent the best of us. The School Board Integrity Project seeks to fulfill this vision.