Lansing, MI — October 11, 2025
This past weekend, Salt & Light Global co-hosted Go Local: School Board Training at the Freedom Embassy in Lansing, equipping current and aspiring school board members to serve their communities with truth, courage, and a firm understanding of good governance under the rule of law.
The event brought together leaders and experts dedicated to strengthening faith-informed engagement in local education. Attendees received practical, biblical, and constitutional training to help them navigate the complexities of modern school board leadership and restore integrity in local government.
A Day of Insight and Encouragement
The day opened with a warm welcome from Molly Macek and Katherine Bussard, setting the tone for a program rooted in faith and civic responsibility.
Sessions covered a wide range of critical topics:
- Authority of a School Board & Healthy Norms — Dr. Kelly Kohls, Leadership Institute
- Anatomy of a School District & Countering Common Myths — Molly Macek, Mackinac Center for Public Policy
- Understanding District Finance, Budget, and Bargaining — Michael Van Beek, Mackinac Center for Public Policy
- Transparency Basics: The Open Meetings Act & FOIA — Katherine Bussard, Salt & Light Global
- Constituent Management & Keeping Your Seat — Dr. Kelly Kohls, Leadership Institute
- Improving Special Education Student Outcomes — Alyssa Wright, Leadership Institute
- Habits of Highly Effective School Boards — Panel discussion moderated by Katherine Bussard featuring Colleen Zammit, Carol Beth Litkouhi, and Dr. Kelly Kohls
- Local Control and Limited Authority — Professor William Wagner, Salt & Light Global and the Wagner Faith & Freedom Center
- Public Policy & Legal Concerns (Title IX, RFFA, Parental Rights, and More) — Legal panel featuring Professor William Wagner, David Kallman, Nikki Snyder, Matt Wilk, and Attorney Tim Denny
The sessions provided attendees with a deeper understanding of their responsibilities as public servants and the importance of defending parental rights, transparency, and local control in education.
Grateful for Partnership & Looking Ahead
As communities face increasing cultural and policy challenges, initiatives like Go Local play a vital role in preparing citizens to lead with wisdom, virtue, and courage. This work is strengthened through partnerships that share a commitment to truth and principled leadership.
Salt & Light Global extends heartfelt gratitude to The Mackinac Center for Public Policy and The Leadership Institute for their partnership in this training. Their shared dedication to equipping principled leaders ensures that truth and liberty continue to thrive at the local level.
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