Dear UMEA members, In the general election on November 8, 2016 the following Utah state school board districts are holding elections for board positions: Districts 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15. To find out what State School Board District you reside in, please go to the page: https://elections.utah.gov/map/district-maps. This is a critical time to keep music education issues in the minds of our elected policy makers. If you are in one of the districts up for election, we encourage you to contact the state school board candidates in your area and make a quick email connection with them. Let them know you are a constituent and a music educator. Below are some recommended talking points specific to music education, but please feel free to engage them an any topic you feel is critical. UMEA leadership and advocacy team feels that the candidates who ultimately obtain the school board seats will remember these discussions regarding music education and will be more receptive to dialogue with UMEA in the future. Talking points with State School Board candidates: In the recently passed ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), music is listed as a stand-alone subject in the definition of a “well rounded education.” Since there is more state control in ESSA than is NCLB (No Child Left Behind), how will you as state school board member be able to insure that music holds a place in kindergarten through 12th grade education in the state recommendations to districts? What is your position on the recent action to allow persons without teaching credentials through certified teacher training programs to teach in Utah schools? Talk with them about how music enriched your school experience and ask if they or their family members had similar experiences in school music programs.