1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I write to you to express my opposition to HB 256 about School Board Elections. I am opposed to turning these elections into partisan elections, and I feel this would negatively impact our schools. There is a place for political parties in our democratic system, like in elections for the legislature or Congress. However, the administration of schools and school boards should be separated from the political divisions and conflict in other parts of politics. Further, I would like school boards to be a place where all parents, regardless of their political views, feel comfortable speaking and advocating for th eir children. For these reasons and others, I ask you to oppose HB 256. If you do choose to support it, I ask that you explain your reasoning and engage with your constituents in a dialogue about this. Schools and school board are critically important in our state. It is crucial that we keep them places that are open to all political persuasions and removed from the toxic political dialogue in other parts of our politics.