Sex Education Curriculum Passes Barnegat School Board Vote

BARNEGAT, NJ — After months of controversy and a lengthy meeting, the Barnegat Board of Education voted to approve the updated sex education curriculum.

Many residents spoke to voice their support or disapproval at the nearly three hour meeting, including Barnegat Mayor Alfonso Cirulli and current Board Member Sandra Churney, who left the dais to speak as a parent.

The vote passed 5 to 2, with Churney and Richard Quelch opposing.

"I truly feel that children will be losing their innocence and older grades will be fed a dangerous, politically correct agenda that is not fact-based," Churney said of the curriculum.

Cirulli commented on the curriculum as a resident and as an educator. "It is basically sexualizing our children and stepping on the rights of parents. This continues to jam things down their throat."

Cirulli previously sparked controversy in 2019, when he came out against teaching LGBTQ history in schools. He called the education "an affront to almighty God." Read More: Barnegat Mayor Reportedly Rips Teaching LGBTQ History In Schools

"It's almost like they're grooming them," Cirulli said. "For predators, sexual predators, pedophiles, because these kids, they're too young for this."

He referenced a debunked rumor that schools allow students to act as though they are animals. Cirulli did not name the specific school that he said allowed this. Read More: Debunked School Restroom Litter Box Claims Resurface With New Year

However, the curriculum had some supporters as well, who corrected misinformation that's been spread around the district and encouraged those who disapprove of the curriculum to simply opt out.

According to the Asbury Park Press, 16.9 percent, or one in six Barnegat students have been opted out of sex ed by their parents.

"Your children, my grandchildren are on the internet, on all kinds of places," said Morris Enyeart, a Board of Education candidate and longtime educator. "And I will guarantee you that they know more about everything you're talking about than you think they know. And much of it is wrong."

The Board also told parents that if they disagreed with the standards, to reach out to state legislators.

"Take your advocacy to the state," said Board Member Michael Hickey. He said he would vote yes because he trusted the administration and teachers; a thought echoed by Board President Sean O'Brien.

"I also trust our teachers," O'Brien said. "I trust our educators to do the career that they've dedicated their lives to."