A group of Republican legislators has called for the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) to withdraw its membership from the National School Board Association (NSBA), pending any serious reform and leadership change at the national organization, after the NSBA sent a “deceitful and defamatory” letter to the United States Attorney General asking the Department of Justice to investigate the involvement of concerned parents at local school board meetings. Signatories to the letter include Senate Education Committee Chairman Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes), Senate Education Committee Vice Chairman Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids), House Education Finance Committee Republican Lead Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls), and House Education Policy Committee Republican Lead Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton).

The NSBA sent its letter without consulting state school board associations, including the Minnesota School Board Association.

“Parents across the country are concerned about the activity taking place in local schools, including mask mandates and Critical Race Theory-style curriculum,” said Sen. Chamberlain. “They have every right to be involved in what their kids are being taught without being bullied or intimidated by the Department of Justice. That the national school board organization would be involved in this attack on parents is outrageous. Unless and until there is a complete leadership overhaul at the national level, the Minnesota School Board Association must preserve the integrity of its mission by withdrawing its membership from the NSBA.”

According to Parents Defending Education, 23 states have formally distanced themselves from the NSBA letter and five states – Missouri, Ohio, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire – have ended their association with NSBA. Minnesota is currently listed as “no response.”

The full letter can be read here.