How it Works
Did you know that one in five individuals elected to office in the United States is a school board member? It is critical for our students and our communities that we have strong public school boards that are dedicated to providing the best educational outcomes for all students.
Founded in Minnesota in 2023, the School Board Integrity Project is now active in 18 states (and counting!) with hundreds of school board candidates on ballots. The School Board Integrity Project recruits, trains, and elects school board candidates who share our principles and values.
Through training, partnerships, and a nationwide network of support, the School Board Integrity Project empowers everyday education champions to serve, elect, and improve our school boards.
Why This?
Our work is centered on empowering those who share our values and who will be champions of our principles by giving them the tools and support they need.
We work specifically with candidates who want to or are currently running for school board. We help uncover why they want to run, working with them through the basics like building campaign messages, brands, and plans. We work alongside them through a four-part training program that provides support from the moment they think they may want to run for office to when they get elected and need to channel the momentum they built on their campaigns into becoming an effective school board member and everything in between.
We also proudly work alongside community organizations, grassroots volunteers, and more to provide as much information and support to our diverse pool of candidates. In every way we can, we strive to help those who understand the stakes of these school board elections and who will champion our principles within our communities.
Since we launched in the summer of 2023, we have trained more than 350 candidates across more than 42 school districts in Minnesota alone, delivering wins nationwide. We have engaged more than 250 volunteers who understand the stakes of these crucial elections. Our movement continues to grow every day and we look forward to working alongside you to build supportive school boards.
Why Now?
We know the majority of voters share our values. However, their voice has been sorely missing from the conversation surrounding our school board elections. A very loud minority with extreme views fueled by national money and rhetoric has started to take over the conversation— and the power on school boards across our country.
We are seeing a national movement interested in distracting from the real issues facing our students by politicizing students and their well-being, spreading lies, destroying our public education systems, and eroding trust for political gain. We simply must reject that narrative and turn our attention back to ensuring every student can have the freedom to learn, to be safe coming to school as their authentic selves, and to grow into thoughtful and engaged community members.
Across our country, we have a proud history of prioritizing and investing in our public education systems and we will not be fooled into turning our back on that. To this end, we at the School Board Integrity Project know that the best way to bring down the temperature and move forward is by training and supporting candidates and educating community members by leading with our shared values.
What’s Next?
We’re just getting started!
The School Board Integrity Project continues to expand to work alongside and support candidates and activists nationwide who want to make a positive impact on the lives of students in their communities. Get in touch if you’d like to be involved as a candidate or supporter!