Shaping our state’s future might feel out of our reach—Building change starts with our local school boards, especially now during the legislative session.

Traditional advocacy for public education with the Iowa legislature isn’t enough anymore. Each year, well-intentioned groups dedicate resources to strategies built for a time when balanced discussions were the norm. When legislators listened to voters, even those from across the aisle. But with each session, politics shift further from that norm, and public education is systematically dismantled. The status quo isn’t working. It’s time to think creatively, go local, and add a new strategy.

In the face of harmful legislation—anti-education bills, vouchers, crushing the AEA, attacks on our LGBTQ+ community, banning books, and restrictions on how we talk about race and history—we can’t afford to sit back. School boards are the bridge between local families and the statehouse. Can their silence be interpreted as an endorsement of harmful and hateful laws? By passing resolutions, our elected boards can send a powerful message to legislators: Our communities support public education for all.

We urge school boards to speak out now. It’s time for the legislature to hear that:

1. Public funds should support public schools.

2. Iowa stands for the freedom to read.

3. Iowa schools are for everyone.

We hope to bring voters and school boards together to speak this powerful message. We know board members care about our kids. We are encouraging stronger advocacy for public education. By passing resolutions, school boards can inform both the legislature and voters who may not typically engage with public education issues. Our goal is to change the direction of public education in Iowa; to build support for good Iowa schools.

Please continue supporting groups that advocate for kids and schools. We also ask you to help grow this idea by signing a few online petitions from the comfort of your home.

We are using the petition generated agenda process requiring 500 signatures each. Currently, we have petitions for Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, and Waukee school districts. If you live in these districts, check out the petitions below. If you’d like to create mirror petitions for your district, reach out to us.