Educational Freedom Championed at “Go Local” School Board Training

Lansing, MI — October 11, 2025

This past weekend, the Freedom Embassy in Lansing hosted Go Local: School Board Training, a daylong event equipping current and aspiring school board members to lead their districts with truth, courage, and a firm grounding in constitutional governance. The training was sponsored by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, the Leadership Institute, and SLG.

The program offered practical, faith-informed instruction on issues central to good governance—ranging from transparency laws and district budgeting to parental rights and educational policy.

Freedom, Conscience, and the Limits of Government

The Honorable William Wagner, WFFC Distinguished Chair for Faith and Freedom, delivered a compelling address on Local Control and Limited Authority. Drawing from his judicial and academic experience, Wagner emphasized that true educational freedom is rooted in the unalienable rights of parents and the freedom of religious conscience—rights that inherently restrain governmental overreach in educational policymaking.

“Government power finds its proper boundaries where parental authority and freedom of conscience begin,” Wagner stated, urging local leaders to preserve space for families to make educational choices aligned with their moral and faith convictions.

He further highlighted that preserving educational choice is not only a matter of policy, but of principle—one that protects both human dignity and constitutional liberty.

Training for Courageous Leadership

The Go Local sessions featured expert instruction from leaders including Dr. Kelly Kohls of the Leadership Institute, Molly Macek and Michael Van Beek of the Mackinac Center, and Katherine Bussard, COO of Salt & Light Global. Participants explored essential topics such as transparency under the Open Meetings Act, the responsibilities of school boards, and the importance of upholding the rule of law in local governance.

A highlight of the event was a legal panel featuring Professor Wagner alongside attorneys David Kallman, Nikki Snyder, Matt Wilk, and Tim Denny, who provided guidance on Title IX, the Religious Freedom and Fairness Act (RFFA), and parental rights in public education.

Strengthened by Partnership, Grounded in Principle

Many expressed deep gratitude to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, the Leadership Institute, and SLG for their partnership in advancing principled civic leadership. As cultural and policy challenges intensify, these partnerships are vital in preparing citizens to lead with integrity, courage, and faith.

“Equipping leaders with truth and understanding is key to sustaining liberty,” Wagner stated, underscoring a commitment to forming local leaders who govern with wisdom and respect for constitutional boundaries.