New Candidates Vie for Michigan State Board of Education
The race for two board seats carries major implications for state teacher staffing and parent classroom notification policies.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should schools be required to let parents opt their children out of classroom discussions on sexuality?
Bree Moeggenberg is running for a seat on the Michigan State Board of Education, where two positions are currently open. The campaign follows recent statewide trends in teacher staffing, including the loss of 8,000 teachers in the 2024-25 school year.
Why it matters
The board oversees state education policy, and candidates are campaigning on issues like classroom transparency and teacher recruitment. The outcome will influence how the state manages staffing shortages and parent-educator communication.
For the 2024-25 school year, 8,000 teachers did not return to the classroom, while the state certified 5,000 new educators. Additionally, non-certified teachers accounted for 5% of the total teaching workforce.
The players
Bree Moeggenberg
A candidate for the state board who previously chaired the local Moms for Liberty chapter and served as a regional director of election integrity for MI Team Trump.
Judith Pritchett
An incumbent member of the Michigan State Board of Education seeking re-election.
Tiffany Tilly
An incumbent member of the Michigan State Board of Education seeking re-election.
Terence Collins
A 61-year-old Republican candidate for the Michigan State Board of Education.
The details
Bree Moeggenberg is focusing her platform on classroom transparency, including a proposal to notify parents and offer opt-out options for discussions regarding sexuality. Her campaign also aims to address broader school concerns, specifically behavioral disruptions, class sizes, and the amount of recess time provided to students. These policy goals contrast with the platforms of incumbents Judith Pritchett and Tiffany Tilly and challenger Terence Collins, as voters prepare to shape the state's educational direction.
Timeline
2020: Moeggenberg filed a lawsuit against Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
2022: Moeggenberg began her tenure as chair of the local Moms for Liberty chapter.
2024: Moeggenberg resigned as Moms for Liberty chair and led an initiative to remove Kristina Karamo.
2024-25: The school year saw 8,000 teachers leave the workforce and 5,000 new certifications issued.
The Home Front
The current campaign reflects a push to stabilize classroom environments amid documented teacher retention struggles. These board candidates are setting policy trajectories that will govern how Michigan manages state-wide staffing mandates and parental rights.
Parents should monitor state board meeting schedules and public comment periods to track how new policies on classroom notification are implemented. Consider reviewing your local school district's specific staffing and curriculum policies to see how board decisions translate into your child's daily classroom experience.
The takeaway
The race for the state board of education will define how Michigan addresses the 5% of classrooms currently staffed by non-certified teachers. Families should stay informed by tracking board election outcomes as they influence school staffing and parent notification policies.
Further reading
For more on policy shifts impacting schools, read our latest coverage on Secondary Education.
Live Poll
Should schools be required to let parents opt their children out of classroom discussions on sexuality?
