My Job Is Political — And That’s How It Should Be

By Rick Morgan, President, Classified Employees Association
Being president of a local union is inherently political. My job is to advocate for the people I represent — and that means speaking out when their voices are being silenced or ignored.
When the school board eliminated the SABRE position — a key position designed to foster student and community engagement — I spoke up. When the board changed its speaker format to limit public debate, I spoke up again — on social media, in public meetings, and anywhere my members’ voices could be heard. For doing so, I was verbally attacked by a school board member and called a “traitor.”
But advocating for my members doesn’t stop with school board meetings. Part of my role is working with legislators, both allies and skeptics, to shape policy that affects public education. I write bills and amendments and send them to Juneau. I meet with lawmakers, testify, and share our members’ stories. And yes — I regularly call out both political parties when their actions harm public education.
Lately, I’ve received messages criticizing the “political nature” of my Facebook post about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and all those who are grieving this terrible loss. But where were those messages when I spoke out about other political issues? The concern doesn’t seem to be that CEA is political — it seems to be that some fear we may be on the “wrong side” of their preferred argument.
Let me be clear: violence is always wrong. The murders of the Minnesota congresswoman and her husband, school shootings, and random stabbings on trains are horrific and heartbreaking. My post was never intended to diminish or make light of those tragedies. But those murders were not connected to the Constitution or free speech. The assassination of Charlie Kirk was different — it was an attempt to silence someone for his words, and that is a direct attack on the First Amendment itself.
I am an educator, in every sense of the word. I have worked to foster a local union where anyone — regardless of political or social views — can succeed, contribute, and be heard. Disagreement is not a threat to democracy; silencing disagreement is.
I have faced verbal attacks and even physical threats, including from members of my own statewide union, simply for taking a different position during debate. But I will not be intimidated into silence.
The First Amendment exists for a reason. Without the right to speak freely — even to say things others might not like — everything falls apart. A free country cannot function without free speech. Violence or intimidation can never be justified as a way to silence someone, whether that person is on the left, right, or center.
CEA’s strength depends on protecting every member’s right to speak and be heard. Advocacy is not always comfortable, but it is necessary. And as long as I serve as president, I will continue to speak up — for my members, for open debate, and for public education — even when it’s unpopular.
My invitation to you, whether you agree with me or not, is simple: join the conversation. Speak up. Be heard. Engage respectfully. Because when we defend the right of everyone to participate, our schools — and our democracy — are stronger for it.

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