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< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2022 Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org The Campaign for Our Shared Future’s Statement Following Roundtable Discussion in Ohio on Midterm Elections Impact on Public Education Cleveland, OH - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future’s Executive Director Heather Harding participated in a roundtable discussion with Ohio education leaders and students on the impact of the midterm elections on public education. She released the following statement: “In Ohio and across the country, self-serving politicians are using our children’s education as a political wedge in order to push their extremist agendas. Through book-banning, classroom censorship, and attacks on our most vulnerable children, political opportunists have been working to dismantle our public schools. Today in Ohio, we had an encouraging and productive discussion about the urgent need to elect officials who will put our children first. “Next week’s elections will have an enormous impact on the future of public education in Ohio. Already, students, families, and teachers are working together to overcome challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic while also navigating unprecedented rates of mental health crises, school funding issues, and teacher shortages. But they need support at every level of government. “It’s important to look at every single election and evaluate whether those candidates would work for our children. Ohio has to elect four members of the State School Board next week. That will set the tone for the school board races in communities all over the state next year. These elections receive the least attention, but they hit closest to home. “Extremists and political opportunists have their sights set on disrupting school boards and destroying everything that works in our schools. Instead of teaching our complete and true history, they want to ban books. Instead of supporting successful programs like social emotional learning, they want to vilify trusted teachers. And instead of championing mental health resources that educate the whole student, they want to attack vulnerable children. These people only want power, and they don’t care that our children’s futures are caught in their games. “We are at a crucial moment when we can either decide to elect leaders who will invest in our children and our communities, or radical politicians who will lean into culture wars in an attempt to distract and divide us. I hope that voters will make the right choices this month.” ​ ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. Previous Next

< Back OCR Complaints The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is the federal agency that enforces federal civil rights laws in schools and other educational institutions.If a district abandons long-standing procedures for reviewing books, more than just political games are at stake. Families are in danger of having their civil rights violated.The OCR investigates discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability. Check out these resources on how to file a complaint: Know your rights Where to file When to file Complaint FAQ How to file - ACLU How to file - Legal Aid Investigation FAQ Previous Next

< Back Election Recap: 2022 Executive Summary We learned a lot on Election Day, and all of it was encouraging as we head into the 2023 cycle where only school board races will be on the ballot in most states. Across the country, there are clearly more people in favor of protecting what works in public schools: equity-based education that addresses the needs of the whole child. Moms for Liberty has a base that developed largely from tapping into the anger of a minority of suburban women, concentrated in a few places. The results prove what we always suspected: most parents aren’t interested in playing political games in our schools. We expected that voter education would be necessary to move the needle on school board races, and we know that it works. We will work to scale that effort in 2023 and 2024. Extremists and politicians are the enemy. Ron DeSantis’ extremist education agenda prevailed in Florida only. But his playbook didn’t work anywhere else. When we call out the political games, people listen, people vote. Lessons Direct voter contact : A clear lane in 2023 presents lots of opportunities for direct voter contact. Voters wanted to hear about school board races because it’s so difficult to find information on candidates. States with big top of ticket campaigns had a higher percentage of negative replies to texts due to fatigue. However, Virginia were not just positive, they often engaged in genuine conversation. Information is King: There is an appetite and need for comprehensive voter education content around school boards. Our voter guide was a good start, but more is possible, including more detail on candidates, a vote plan, and information on current school boards and members Messaging : Emphasizing the importance and impact of school boards weakens extremist candidates. Most people don’t know what a school board does, and the voters who did turn out against radical candidates understood the stakes on a tangible level. School board elections are largely nonpartisan, so they aren’t voting straight ticket. Slates are Effective in Defining the Election : Usually the far right candidates ran as slates with generic names like Students First, Parents for Schools, One Family, etc. It will take time to determine if that was a successful campaign move, but the existence of slates helped the local press turn school board races into stories. In nonpartisan elections, unity tickets tend to get more attention because they maximizes canvassing and creates the illusion of a party line. Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom Re: The dangerous consequences of House Bill 6 April 18, 2023 Re: THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF HOUSE BILL 6 Chair Young, Vice-Chair Dobos, Ranking Member Miller, and members of the House Higher Education Committee: The Campaign for our Shared Future (COSF) is committed to stopping dangerous policies that single out some students for differential treatment, which is why we again strongly urge you to oppose House Bill (HB) 6. We can all agree that no one should play political games with young people’s lives, which is why governors on both sides of the isle have rejected bills like HB 6. Governors in Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana alike have vetoed legislation banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports, pushing back against the fake narrative that transgender children should be scapegoated and alienated. In explaining his veto, Republican Governor Spenser Cox emphasized that this issue should be treated with nuance and empathy. “I don’t understand what [transgender students] are going through or why they feel the way they do,” he explained in a note. “When in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy, and compassion.” [i] We urge you to follow his lead and make a compassionate decision that considers ALL the potential damaging consequences of HB 6. HB 6 Diverts Resources Away from Children This proposal threatens to embroil schools in expensive litigation, diverting resources away from our children. Lawsuits against schools, school districts, colleges, and athletics organizations could result in less resources for our kids to learn and play sports. Our education tax dollars should go to children, not lawyers. HB 6 is a Slippery Slope The Ohio High School Athletic Association and the NCAA have policies governing student athletics to ensure fair access for every student. Yet, politicians want to dictate whose child gets to play sports, setting up a slippery slope. If politicians start telling families there is only one way to live their lives, where does it stop? Which group of children gets excluded next? Faraway statehouse politicians should not make blanket decisions on family values. HB 6 Amounts to Bullying All families want young people to be treated equally. Sports help all young people develop leadership, confidence, and community. Denying young people this opportunity is discriminatory—and it is bullying. U.S. Department of Education has clarified that the Title IX protects LGBTQ+ students’ equal access to educational programs and activities .[ii] HB 6 is an Attack on Mental Health Many Ohio student athletes have already testified about the negative impact HB 6 would have on them, their teams, and their schools, but this proposal is likely already having a damaging impact on their mental health. A study by researchers at Cornell University found that the mere consideration of discriminatory legislation by politicians creates an unwelcoming climate for LGBTQ+ people by furthering poor mental health, internalized stigma, and expectations for adverse treatment.[iii] Transgender students already face bullying in schools, with 80% of students perceived as transgender reporting some form of mistreatment and 20% of young people facing severe mistreatment being forced to leave school.[iv] That is devastating for a student individually, as well as for their future as an Ohioan. If they recover from this mistreatment, will they stay in Ohio? Or will they leave the state and take their talents elsewhere? HB 6 is a Solution Looking for a Problem The exceedingly small number of transgender young people who are looking to find a sense of connection and community–do not pose any threat to women’s sports. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in 2019 that just 1.8 percent of high school students in the country are transgender,[v] and the Human Rights Campaign estimates that only about 12% play on girls' sports teams.[vi] How many transgender students play girls’ sports in Ohio? Like all young people, transgender students deserve opportunities in and out of school that are free from discrimination and prepare them for their futures. When young people are healthy and able to pursue their goals—regardless of gender—it creates a better future for all Ohioans. [i] “Utah Governor Vetoes Transgender-Athlete Bill,” New York Times, March 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/22/us/utah-governor-transgender-athlete-ban.html [ii] “U.S. Department of Education Confirms Title IX Protects Students from Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” U.S. Department of Education, June 2021, https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-confirms-title-ix-protects-students-discrimination-based-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity . [iii] 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS), National Center for Transgender Equality, https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTSOHStateReport(1017).pdf . [iv] The Trevor Project Research Brief: Bullying and Suicide Risk among LGBTQ Youth, October 2021, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Trevor-Project-Bullying-Research-Brief-October-2021.pdf . [v] “Transgender Identity and Experiences of Violence Victimization, Substance Use, Suicide Risk, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students — 19 States and Large Urban School Districts,” Center for Disease Control, 2017, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6803a3.htm [vi] Improving the lives of LGBTQ Youth in Sports, Human Rights Campaign Foundation, https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/PlayToWin-FINAL.pdf Previous Next

< Back Guide to School Board Resolutions This guide will help build your knowledge about school board resolutions, your confidence in communicating their value, and your familiarity with how your local school board works and makes decisions. What are a school board’s duties? Local school boards have a tremendous role to play in the success of our schools and students. School boards adopt policies and resolutions that govern school employees and students. These policies must follow state laws or rules adopted by the state department of education. What’s the difference? A board resolution is a formal statement adopted by the school board that expresses the board's position on a particular issue. It typically includes two sections. One section describes facts and values, and the second describes the district’s plan of action. Resolutions are typically used to address specific topics or issues that are of concern to the school district or community. After the school board adopts a resolution, they may also adopt a policy that provides more detailed guidelines about what the resolution requires or prohibits. Board policies are a set of guidelines or rules that govern the operation of the school district. While resolutions themselves can sometimes include policy changes, districts more often supplement resolutions with additional policies. School boards can also task a superintendent with adopting and implementing administrative regulations or additional rules that describe in even greater detail how the policy will be put into action. These rules may include timelines and school staff’s roles and responsibilities. How are policies and resolutions adopted? School board resolutions are typically proposed by members of the school board and are then voted on by the entire board. To adopt a new policy or resolution, school boards host a public meeting, take a formal vote during the meeting, and a majority of the board members must vote for adopting the policy or resolution. Community members and stakeholders have the right to attend the public meetings in which the board adopts a new policy or resolution. And meeting agendas should be publicized ahead of time usually on the district’s website. Members of the public may also have the right to place a discussion of a board policy or resolution on the board’s agenda. The procedure for placing an item on the agenda differs among districts, so consult your district for more. How can you advocate for a resolution? Contact board members – Write, call, or meet with your school board members. You do not have to be an expert on education policy. It’s a board member’s job to hear your concerns, questions, and compliments. You can let the board members know that you are exploring an issue and resolution. Board members can be powerful allies, who can introduce and advocate on behalf of resolutions. If there is already a resolution under consideration, let them know why you support or oppose it. COSF can help you prepare for these conversations. Contact the superintendent – Superintendents work closely with school board members on the policy. In fact, some school board bylaws require that the superintendent identify and communicate to the board issues that affect the community and suggest new policies or revise old policies. They may even be required to research issues, gather data, and get staff and community input. That’s why a superintendent is a key ally to communicate your concerns. You can always set up individual meetings with your superintendent to see where they stand on an issue, but it’s a good idea to talk to your principal first. Review your district’s school board policies – Build your knowledge about your district’s inclusion policies, your confidence in communicating their value, and your familiarity with how your local school board works. Develop a resolution – If no resolution is on the table, you may have the power to propose one to school board members. Review your district’s proposed or established policies to identify gaps related to the issues you care about. Most districts publish their board policies and bylaws directly on their website. COSF’s bank of resolutions can serve as a starting point for your advocacy efforts. Participate in a board meeting – You can follow your individual meetings with school board members, the superintendent, and the principal by following up by raising your issue at a school board meeting. Why should you get involved NOW? Local school board resolutions allow community members to have a direct impact on the policies and decisions made by their local school district, provide an opportunity for community members to have their voices heard, and can help to build consensus and unite the community around a common cause. This is especially important when you feel your voice is not being heard or that your concerns are not being addressed by the school district. At a time when school districts are censoring education or tampering with students’ rights, advocating for the issues you care about has never been more important. Previous Next

< Back Attending School Board Meetings As a concerned community member, you may wish to be part of the decision-making process for your local schools by attending school board meetings and supporting important proposals. If you do, there are important ways to ensure that your voice is heard. You won’t have a lot of time. Make sure that your message is succinct and powerful. Find out what the process is for speaking during the public comment period as well as how long you will have to speak. This can usually be found out by calling the main district office or looking on the school board’s website. The most powerful public comments are those that are unique and personalized. If you are speaking as part of a group, ensure that each person speaks to a different point so that the testimonies don’t sound repetitive. This also ensures that you can get multiple points across as a group even though each person only has a few minutes. A strong closer is important. Don’t just trail off at the end. Time yourself so that you ensure you can get through your closing without being cut off. Write down your remarks to ensure a polished presentation. Practice your remarks out loud. Don’t be afraid to show emotion. It’s not typical for the school board to ask or answer questions during an Open Forum. Be prepared to give your remarks without comment from the school board members. Be confident. This is your school district, and you have every right to be heard. Previous Next

< Back Script to Elected Officials Template Download the the template Previous Next

< Back Speaking to Your School Board Step 1: Finding Your School Board’s Calendar First you will need to visit your school district’s website and then go to the calendar and identify when there are upcoming meetings. Step 2: Gathering information about your school board’s meetings Reach out to your school board member, superintendent, or principal and find out what issues the school board will be discussing. Ask when the public will be able to weigh in on these issues and how the school board will share those details with the community. Ask where and how school board meeting minutes will be available. Step 3: Registering to speak at a school board meeting You will likely need to register to speak at the meeting. Sometimes this can be listed under “participation” or a similar option. Many times school boards will have a deadline or a limit on how many speaking slots are available per meeting. Make sure you know when the sign-ups open so that you are ready to claim your spot. Step 4: Preparing your remarks You should be prepared to communicate clearly and directly and to share your story. Tell the board who you are and why you care. Some school boards have a limit on how long your remarks can be. Make sure you practice so that you don’t get cut off. Previous Next

< Back to Newsroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2023 press@campaignsharedfuture.org Campaign For Our Shared Future Holds Virtual Press Call Ahead of November School Board Elections WASHINGTON, DC - With less than six weeks until November elections and early voting underway in many states, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) will hold a press call via Zoom to highlight the voices of families and students impacted by the nearly 30,000 school board elections taking place in 2023. Speakers will discuss why these elections matter in their respective communities and share resources on how to get out the vote this fall. WHAT: Press call to discuss the need to vote in school board elections this November. WHO: Heather Harding , Executive Director of The Campaign for Our Shared Future Kate Nazemi, Pennsylvania mother and co-founder of Advocates for Inclusive Education , Bucks County Zoe King, Virginia high school student who organized a walkout with hundreds of peers Cathleen Hyde, Louisiana mother of a transgender student who advocated against statewide youth healthcare ban WHEN: September 28, 2023 12:00 pm EST/11:00 am CST To receive Zoom information, you must register for the call . Please us e this link to register. ### The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country. Previous Next

< Back Key Voter Info Who Can Vote? School board elections typically take place every two years in most states, and are held to elect members to the local school board who will oversee the school district's policies and budget. Eligibility to vote in school board elections varies by state, but in most states, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the school district, and at least 18 years old. Did you know… That your vote truly counts? One person = one vote. Your vote in school board elections helps determine the policies and resources that shape local schools, keeping education in our hands? Voting in local school board elections is our best chance to protect local control and the rights of family involvement? Voter turnout in school board elections is typically lower than in general elections. Fewer than 10 percent of voters cast ballots in school board elections? School boards make major decisions about school leadership, determine the mission and vision, approve the budget (including textbooks), adopt policies (including curriculum), and serve as community liaisons? How Can You Help? Register to vote and make a voting plan to participate in your local school board election. Use social media to spread the word about the upcoming election and encourage your friends and family to register to vote. Attend local community events to promote the election and help register voters. Partner with local schools, youth organizations, and other community groups to spread the word about the election and encourage participation. Provide information about early voting and vote-by-mail options, if available in your state, to make it easier for people to participate in the election. Here are a few resources to help you stay informed and organized as you head to the polls. Locate my district’s candidates Register to vote Find a polling place See what’s on the ballot Registration deadlines First-time voter checklist Healthy voter checklist Nationwide voting rules Previous Next

< Back Partnerships: COSF Reflection Background The current culture war around schools is not a passing argument on any specific topic or practice. It is a coordinated attack designed to politicize the classroom and create doubt about the effectiveness of public education including every single actor or function within the public school system. To that end, every education organization should consider itself at the center of the political debate—whether it’s obvious or not. Likewise, every school, every educator, and every administrator has been forced to view their work through the political lens. And political organizations, which used to largely ignore education policy because it didn’t usually have a direct impact on elections, had to learn quickly about the nuance and context of a whole new environment. Challenge COSF set out to bring together like-minded organizations to work toward a great education for every child. One of our organizational objectives was to “educate and organize partners from across industries, sectors, and communities to support high-quality, inclusive K-12 education.” Recognizing that education is above politics, we intended to create a network of partners that span an ideologically diverse range of stakeholders across the country who seek to build common ground. Approach Acting as a bridge between education and politics, COSF made it clear that our goal was to fill in gaps for partners. Those gaps could be resources, knowledge, and sometimes funding. In some situations, COSF signed a formal memorandum of understanding with a partner, and in others, it maintained a loose relationship. Oftentimes, COSF acted as a convener that either brought people to the table who don’t frequently interact with each other or helped existing tables facilitate a focused conversation on the ongoing threats. Partners received immediate access to all of COSF’s resources and services. Commonly partnership offerings were framed around key segments of COSF’s work: Strategic Communications We told stories through traditional and digital media about real families caught in the middle of bad policy and political games. Policy Analysis/Products We tracked proposed legislation, suggested replacement language and school board resolutions, and provided analysis of legislative impact and sponsors. Organizing Efforts We mobilized individuals and train them to be advocates. Voter Education We educated voters about the issues and candidates in key elections. Resources & Collateral We monitored legislation moving through states and listened to the hearings and testimony from the public. Results Strategic Communications Increased public awareness by forging early and robust partnerships with organizations such as PEN America, Red, Wine & Blue, and Our Turn Prepared leadership of 550 school districts across 30 states in strategic communications and crisis management to avoid or de-escalate crisis Provided proactive common-ground messaging training to more than 1,000 grassroots and national education advocates through in-person and virtual sessions Organizing Efforts Trained local leaders to organize for sustained power in 30 districts across 9 states and hosted 8 national workshops for allied organizations Organized local stakeholders to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ school board proposals in key districts Supported a nascent parents’ organization to pass a COSF model school board policy in support of LGBTQ+ youth Organized parents, librarians, students, and community members to block proposed book bans Blocked or modified destructive legislative and executive-branch actions in 8 states Voter Education Rallied community leaders to get out the vote for school board elections in 18 districts across 8 states Held 9 national trainings with attendees from 14 states, sharing GOTV resources and best practices and voter education practices materials Developed the field-leading school board election information program for local stakeholders Increased voter awareness and engagement in local school board elections through phone and text banks in key districts Mobilized voters in two of one key state’s most conservative districts to support public education funding in a state ballot initiative fight Resources & Collateral Our foundational school leaders toolkit for superintendents, designed to help them avoid and de-escalate crises The Movement Playbook , an election guide for organizers that outlines all the essential information needed to elect pro-equity school board representatives Our bank of model school board resolutions that defend and center equity in schools Messaging trainings with up-to-date research and talking points, and Train The Trainer sessions that introduce the basics of organizing for change in your community Tested lists of supporters and leaders in our key states and organizational partners aligned to our mission Previous Next

< Back Starting a Group Find a few like-minded friends Decide on the “issue” your group will center around Not just what you are against (you should know that) What are you for? What is the future you see? Why is this issue important to each of you? Decide on roles of member leaders at first two meetings Decide on local meaningful name that’s easy to distinguish Decide on method of communication - an email, a Google listserv, a Facebook or Instagram account or website - so other local people can join in and get information Decide on privacy levels for the group - is it by invitation, can anyone join? Some groups create a public Facebook page and then a private Facebook group for strategizing and planning. Or a public Facebook page, but use emails to communicate plans. Design any logo or branding you might want to use to identify your group - you can use Canva.com to create a free icon if desired. Decide on the target audience for your group - all voters, all public ed supporters, just women, youth voters, neighbors, etc. Decide on actions your group wants to undertake & write them down Research and decide on messaging themes for best impact Identify future target dates for items like these; set timeline Gathering more members via social media Educating voters about role of school board or other local positions Postcard writing Get out the vote door knocking or phone banking? Hosting house parties for candidates Hosting online forum for candidates Written questions for candidates Hosting online education events or webinar- i.e. How libraries select materials; how school boards work; how teachers choose curriculum; how to register voters, etc. etc. with informed speakers Voter registration or ballot education Previous Next