One Voice: Be a Unifying Voice for Public Education

About One Voice

“One Voice” from the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) is helping our communities better understand and trust in the value, power and potential of our public education systems. By improving trust in public education, One Voice will enhance public engagement and cooperation around public schools for the benefit of all students.

“One Voice is more than an event theme,” said MSBA Executive Director Kirk Schneidawind. “It’s a long-term movement that will improve and promote public education.”

Stand up for public education with a unifying voice to support all students. MSBA will be launching an initiative to gather success stories from across the state and to hear from schools about the importance of public schools.

Watch the “One Voice” video that debuted during the MSBA Leadership Conference on January 16, 2025, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Why advocate for our state’s public schools now? Public education’s reputation has slipped

Less than 30% of U.S. adults have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of trust in the public schools (Gallup, 2024). As individuals on the front lines of our public schools, you are the best and strongest voices to tell the many stories of our public school successes — with one voice!

You are invited to join your voice with others throughout the state of Minnesota as the MSBA announces “One Voice.”

What are the goals of “One Voice?”

Improve all students’ educational experiences by systematically improving education delivery and better preparing students to make meaningful societal contributions.

Foster an “abundance mentality” benefitting all stakeholders, especially students, but also local businesses and residents – when we all do well, we all excel!

Engage and include legislators in this effort to think differently about education funding and policy.

Attract quality school board members, administrators, teachers and staff in districts throughout Minnesota.

Improve the overall reputation of public schools.

What to expect and how to get involved

Beginning with the January Leadership Conference and throughout 2025, MSBA will collaborate with school board members and superintendents to harness the power of all of our voices to advocate for public education locally and statewide.

Get involved:

Advocate that your school board pass a resolution supporting One Voice.

Advocate in your local community — Share your story about what makes public education, and your school district, vital to the health of your community.

Share your voice — Submit a brief video to MSBA describing the importance of public education.

Stay tuned — An engagement process is beginning now to determine future activity to support this long-term effort.

FAQs

Why was “One Voice” chosen as the theme?

We chose “One Voice” as our theme to express in a simple, easy-to-remember way the importance and power of speaking with “one voice” about the potential of public education.

Why is this important to my school district?

A rising tide lifts all boats. Your voices, joined by those in neighboring Minnesota school districts, and by others in your community, will help build trust in your own public schools, teachers, administrations and school boards. This trust can be translated into support from community members that could include improving opportunities for students, including internships, mentorships, contributions, and referendum support.

What is the One Voice strategy?

It is up to those who work in and for public K-12 education in Minnesota to unite in voicing our support for public education, and the multiple benefits it provides our students and state.

We must provide an independent, objective point of view about the power and potential of public education to proactively address unfounded criticism. Left unaddressed, it weakens public support for our state’s public schools, staff members and students.

We must also stand up for systemic change to ensure all students receive a quality education.

Read more

MSBA Past President Linda Leiding’s column: The Power of Having a Unifying Voice for Public Education

Contact

Direct questions about the One Voice initiative to MSBA’s Greg Abbott at 507-420-1881 or gabbott@mnmsba.org.