Former School Board Opponent Blasts Michele Morrow
“We need to carefully scrutinize others running for local Board of Education seats.”

By Cash Michaels –
With less than thirty days before the North Carolina General Election, the man who defeated MAGA Republican Michele Morrow for a Wake County School Board seat in 2022 has written an open letter to the Black Press, warning that Morrow must be defeated in her current campaign to become state superintendent of Public Instruction.
Tyler Swanson, who currently serves on the Wake County Board of Education, says, “Her vision for our public schools was dangerous.” He continued that Morrow’s approach to education policy “…threatens to dismantle the community-focused education system that our students, parents, and educators rely on. Her character and lack of commitment to North Carolina’s public schools should disqualify her from any role in governance. How can someone lead an institution they fundamentally do not believe in?”
Avid Supporter of Trump and Robinson
Morrow, a controversial conservative and strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and Republican gubernatorial nominee Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, is a product of North Carolina public schools, even though she is also a staunch critic of the state public school system, calling it an “indoctrination center.” Currently, Morrow homeschools her five children.
A resident of Cary, she shocked the political world last March when she defeated the Republican incumbent, NC Supt. of Public Instruction Cathy Truitt, during the GOP primary. Morrow also drew scrutiny when CNN revealed that she attended the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol, and once called for former President Barack Obama to be executed by firing squad on pay-per-view TV.
No Professional Experience in Education
A nurse by profession, Morrow’s home schooling is the only educational experience she has, having never taught in a classroom or served as a school administrator. Swanson defeated Morrow in 2022 in their race for the Wake County School Board.
On her website, Morrow claims to be a proponent of safe schools, parent-friendly schools, American unity and patriotism, “getting Washington, DC, out of NC Schools,” and an end to wasteful spending in education. To try to attract more mainstream support, Morrow has tried to tone down her publicly stated, controversial, extremist views since winning the GOP primary.
Swanson warns that Morrow’s right-wing political allegiances would harm public education in North Carolina if she were to be elected in the fall.
Proponent of Project 2025
“If she was elected to lead DPI [the Dept. of Public Instruction] she would serve as a pawn for Trump’s Project 2025—a plan that would erode our public institutions—further highlights her unsuitability,” Swanson charges. “Michele Morrow is the wrong choice for North Carolina, and we must reject her at all costs.”
Swanson continued, “The danger doesn’t stop with Morrow. We need to carefully scrutinize others running for local Board of Education seats [and] NC House and Senate Races who share her views and vision. These individuals will quietly work to push their extreme ideologies, posing just as much of a threat to our public education system as she does.
Make no mistake: if we allow people like Morrow and her allies to infiltrate our school boards, NC House and Senate, we will see the dismantling of the values that make public education a cornerstone of our democracy.”
Opponent Moe Green Supports Public Education
“In contrast, we have a true champion of public education in Mo Green,” Swanson wrote. “As my superintendent in Guilford County Schools, Mo Green set high standards for everyone in the district—students, teachers, and staff alike. His integrity, experience, and unwavering commitment to education are exactly what North Carolina needs. He is a leader who believes in the power of public schools and their role in shaping our future.”
Maurice “Mo” Green, the Democratic nominee for state Supt. of Public Instruction, calls his race against Morrow “a fight for the soul of public education” in North Carolina. Green also charges that if elected, Morrow would work to defund public schools by sending taxpayer dollars to unaccountable private schools.
Green, 56, on the other hand, has a distinguished record of leadership in education.
Experienced School Leader
He is “known statewide as a champion of public education” and a strong supporter of teachers. Green spent seven years, from 2008 to 2015, successfully leading the Guilford County Public School System, the state’s third largest public school system, before going to work for the charitable Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
At the time, Guilford County Schools had 127 schools, over 72,000 students, about 10,000 employees and a more than $600 million budget.
Green was the first African American superintendent of the unified Guilford County School System.
“There is much to celebrate about public education in North Carolina and its transformative power,” Green said when he announced his intention to run for NC superintendent. “However, it is long past time for our state to truly fulfill its promise to each of its students—that no matter who you are, you will receive high-quality educational opportunities that will prepare you to be successful. We can make that happen if we invest fully in public education, ensure safe and secure learning environments for our students, enhance parent and community support, and revere our educators.”
“Let’s reject Michele Morrow’s divisive agenda and stand with leaders like Mo Green, who are dedicated to preserving and strengthening our public schools,” Wake School Board member Tyler Swanson said in ending his open letter. “Our students and our state deserve nothing less.”