This blog post is by Keisa Reynolds with Public School Strong, a Unite Against Book Bans partner.
Public School Strong believes that public education is a frontline fight for racial justice and multiracial democracy. And we know what we’re up against: the same forces that seek to delegitimize and defund public education are also behind the nationwide movement to ban books and censor curriculum. That’s why Public School Strong is excited to partner with Unite Against Book Bans in support of public education, public libraries, and the freedom to read and learn.
Local Elections Drive Local Change
We’re pleased to share our newest resource, From School Board Elections to Shared Leadership, created by HEAL to Win. This comprehensive toolkit is designed to support parents, educators, students, and community leaders who are ready to run for local school board. Alternatively, it can be used to help a neighbor with their own local campaign—it’s all hands on deck this year.
The battles playing out in school districts today will shape public education for a generation, and winning them requires preparation, coordination, and shared strategy. In too many of our communities, local officials backed by billionaire extremists are using book bans and censorship to undermine students’ freedom to learn. We must run as— and vote for—leaders who are willing to take on and defeat these extremists.
Everyday People Are the Leaders We Need
From School Board Elections to Shared Leadership is a 70+ page toolkit that can help you consider a campaign for local office. It provides historical context, case studies, and concrete strategies for building shared leadership, responding to coordinated attacks, and grounding local campaigns in accountability to the communities that public schools serve.
Public schools should be governed with community, not over it. In 2026, local leaders and everyday advocates have a powerful opportunity to organize around school board elections and build lasting leadership for honest, equitable, and fully funded public schools where the freedom to read and learn is protected.
The Time to Get Started is Right Now
Sign up here for your copy of the toolkit and unpack what it takes to run a bold, pro-public education campaign. School board elections are not isolated contests, rather they are an opportunity to build community power and win the larger fight to protect the fundamental values of our multiracial democracy.
Saving our public institutions starts locally. Together, we can mobilize families, students, community members, and unions across the country to win.
