BOE elections Nov. 8

"Boards of education are the key that picks the lock"
Steve Bannon

Steve Bannon's quote summarizes the strategy of the far-right fringe: invade boards of education, turn school districts in an ultra-conservative direction, and achieve an intellectual insurrection, a result that authors' advocacy group PEN America calls the "Ed Scare."

Banning books was just the first step

The district spent the first five months of the 2021-2022 school year fighting frivolous attempts to ban five books with LGBTQ+ themes. That effort cost the district nearly $8,000 in productivity time and materials, and resulted in ongoing harassment of the school librarian, who the book banners falsely labeled a sex offender. Now the same people who caused that turmoil want to sit on the board of education.

If you care about students' First Amendment right to read freely and are concerned about book banning, homophobic language, anti-diversity rhetoric, and defamation of board members and school staff, you must vote wisely in the school board elections on November 8.

Our BOE picks

Download the complete guide or choose your municipality below to get a printable cheat sheet

Which BOE candidates do you recommend?

We have worked with community members and educators to compile a list of recommended candidates in the K-12 BOE races within the North Hunterdon-Voorhees sending districts. Our recommendations reflect the candidates' commitment to intellectual freedom, diversity, public education, and civility. Please support these candidates on November 8, and encourage your friends and neighbors to do so as well.

Which BOE candidates should I avoid?

Also, be aware that three of the people who attempted to ban LGBTQ+ books in NH-V during the 2021-2022 school year are now running for board seats as the "Education with a Purpose" slate: Nicole Gallo, Eric Licwinko, and Cynthia Reyes-Stadulis. See a summary of our concerns. Please avoid these candidates and all who are aligned with them.

Learn how to identify a problematic BOE candidate by watching Nicole Gallo in action

The Hate Slate tried to ban books in 2021. Book banning is undemocratic and unAmerican. Vote wisely.

I don't have school-age kids; why should I care?

Even if you do not have school-age children, the quality of community life is affected by the quality of our schools. Your BOE vote helps maintain public schools that enable our community's young people to achieve their dreams and contribute to our pluralistic society. Read this op-ed by the NHHS librarian, who explains the importance of your vote.

Download and post on social media the badges for your favorite candidates

Resources

To help spread the word, use these resources:

BOE Voting Guide: Recommendations from the NH-V Intellectual Freedom Fighters
MyCentralJersey.com: Overview of the race
I support candidates who support the right to read social media badge
Candidate badges: Download and post on social media the badges for your favorite candidates
Op-ed: Let's keep ignorance and intolerance off of our school boards
Fight the common false narratives and misinformation about books in schools: FAQs created by Free to Read-Rochester, but applies to schools nationwide
We Have Questions: Examples of our concerns about the Hate Slate and the questions they refuse to answer
What they Hate Slate doesn't want you to know: Community members who have tried to ask questions on the Hate Slate's campaign page have been blocked. Here's what the candidates refuse to answer.
We object: Get a summary of our concerns about the Hate Slate
Stop the Hate Slate (video, 3 mins): See Gallo, Licwinko, Reyes-Stadulis and their supporters in action over the last year
Hate Slate: Nicole Gallo (video, 2 mins): See the words and actions that disqualify Moms for Liberty supporter Gallo from consideration as a BOE member
What's the problem with Moms for Liberty: Nicole Gallo wears their T-shirt; learn why that's a "Glamour Don't"

The Hate Slate has engaged in all of these dangerous actions. Learn more.

We didn't create this graphic, but the situation sure feels familiar