To the editor:

As we approach the school board election, letters to the editor and discussions on social media are getting increasingly toxic. The race that is supposed to be non-partisan looks nothing but political. 

How have these elections become so politically charged, not only in Hastings, but nationwide?

Let’s rewind to three years ago. Millions of children were denied in-person education due to the pandemic, largely due to the teachers unions’ demanding that teachers not be in the classroom. Parents witnessed their children’s online classes and noticed the shift in curriculum from core academics to ideological teachings. From this, many parental rights movements were created, and more parental choice-focused candidates started to run in the school board elections. 

Since then, we have heard the same narrative coming from the teachers unions and their supporters that hate groups are trying to hijack public education. The candidates who run on the platform of restoring parental rights and bringing focus on academic excellence have become painted as teacher-haters. This is untrue.

Hastings group 200Strong was created by the same people who run Hastings Progressives and identified a slate of four candidates who were later endorsed by the teachers union. They claim that their four candidates are endorsed by Hastings teachers. Don’t be fooled. They are endorsed by union leadership. Our teachers, just like the rest of our community, have different beliefs and values, and will vote for different candidates in the upcoming election. 

While academic achievement continues to decline, the recent Education Minnesota press conference was dedicated to attacking parent-centered candidates and organizations that support them. All that while promoting division and fear. 

If you don’t want our school board to be influenced by one of the largest donors to the DFL, I urge you to learn more about the candidates who are NOT endorsed by the teachers union. 

There are five of them: Philip Biermaier, Melissa Millner, Jenny Weiderholt-Pine, Nancy Blanchard, and Pam Onnen. You can choose up to four to vote for. 

Read their statements, ask them questions, go to their meet-and-greets. Choose common sense over toxic politics. 

Natasha Brown