he Wisconsin Association of School Boards announced Tuesday it will withdraw its participation from the National School Boards Association after the national group issued and then rescinded a letter to President Joe Biden characterizing threats school board members across the country have received as “domestic terrorism.”
According to a notice sent out to WASB members on Tuesday, the state association’s board of directors voted Friday to withdraw the association’s participation in NSBA programs and activities.
“The board did not take this action lightly,” the email read. “Unfortunately, the NSBA needlessly caused substantial controversy this fall, which has negatively impacted relationships among school boards, parents and community members.”
“Those actions do not align with WASB policies and programs nor its mission to support, promote and advance public education,” the note continued.
In September, the NSBA sent a letter to Biden that said public schools and education leaders are “under immediate threat.” The letter pointed to an increase in threats made by the public toward public school officials and asked Biden to use federal agencies to investigate and protect those officials.