What makes an issue “political?” What makes it “divisive?”
The answer impacts the free speech rights of thousands of West Virginians.
Teachers, like students, do not lose their First Amendment protections when they enter a school. This is a right the ACLU is proud to have protected for more than 70 years. However, there are some limitations. Notably, teachers are prohibited from “political” expression in the course of their job.
The ACLU has long advocated that this exception to basic rights needs to be narrow; that the term political means taking a specific position for or against a political candidate/party or a stance on a legislative item or ballot measure.
Read the full piece here: https://westvirginiawatch.com/2023/09/15/wv-state-board-of-education-sho...