Jonathan Melgaard is Running for Detroit Lakes School Board

Today I’m grateful to announce that I am running for the Detroit Lakes School Board.

I know how fortunate I am. I grew up in an incredible community, received an amazing education, and have had opportunities to work alongside leaders I admire.

A few years ago, I moved home from Aspen wondering how I could meaningfully give back to the communities that shaped me. A few weeks ago, I took an important first step and filed to run for school board.

Just days later, I learned that the current board had prohibited the rainbow-heart stickers that a handful of teachers placed on their classroom windows. Those stickers carried a simple message: Every student is safe and welcome here.

As someone who was once a closeted gay kid, I found that deeply disheartening.

Being gay in high school—openly or otherwise—can be incredibly lonely. You can feel caught between who you know yourself to be and who you think the world expects you to become. A small sign of acceptance from a trusted adult can mean more than most people realize.

Why would we take that signal away from a student who might desperately need it?

I’m also troubled that a decision this important was made without the transparent public discussion it deserved. That feels contrary to the democratic values we were taught—and to the thoughtful debate our schools should encourage.

At a time of extreme polarization, our country is also experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and disconnection. Our schools should create belonging, not take it away.

The bottom line is simple: You don’t have to agree with everyone, but you do have to respect them. Every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and capable of becoming fully themselves.

This may be a local school board race, but it’s an opportunity to set a standard of decency, care, transparency, and kindness.

This is a fight worth fighting.

If you live in the district, I would be honored to earn your vote. If you can’t vote here, I’d still be grateful for your support and help sharing this campaign.