Don’t Listen to Moms for Liberty
This letter to the editor, by Jamie Yeager, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on April 2, 2026.
Liberty Every student deserves to feel welcome in the New Richmond School District and that is why I and several other students started our organization, NR Students Against Moms for Liberty. After hearing the shocking comments made by supporters of one school board candidate associated with the national extremist group Moms for Liberty (such as one man referring to our peers as “experiments”), we decided we had to step up and defend our classmates and that is what we have done with the help of hundreds in the New Richmond Community.
That is why we endorse the current board members for re-election to the New Richmond School Board and their agenda of financial responsibility and student safety. The policy changes proposed by Moms for Liberty candidates aren’t just damaging to students, they are illegal and could result in the school losing $49 million in state and federal funding as well as opening the district up to credible lawsuits. Board members Schafer, Marilyn Duerst and Neal Melby have all proven their resilience and leadership skills in the face of this ruthless pressure campaign and we, students of New Richmond, have full confidence that they will continue to do what is best for the community. The same cannot be said for the Moms for Liberty school board candidates, who prioritize pushing their political agenda onto public school students over general safety and following the law.
Marilyn Duerst is a former teacher and professor of 50 years who is an expert at navigating proposed curriculum changes. Bryan Schafer is a retired police chief who has bravely stood his ground as School Board President throughout this outrage campaign. Dr. Neal Melby is a retired and beloved local surgeon who has made it his mission to provide as many experiences for New Richmond’s students as possible. These people are real community leaders who don’t need the endorsement of national extremist groups and internet micro-celebrities to have credibility. Please, as a student of New Richmond, I implore you to vote Marilyn Duerst, Bryan Schafer and Neal Melby for School Board on Tuesday, April 7.