'Embarrassed' Residents Decry Bernards School Board's Rejection Of Sociology Textbook

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The spotlight is on Basking Ridge after the school board rejected a sociology textbook.

The rejection garnered the attention of a national news outlet, the Washington Post, who wrote an opinion piece titled "A nasty development in the culture wars invades an affluent N.J. suburb."

"Congratulations you made the national news. I only wish it was for something positive you have done," said resident David Shaw at the May 8 Board of Education meeting. "This national story will hurt our kids and our property values."

The article and situation brought out droves of angry and embarrassed residents and a camera crew from NJ Spotlight News to the most recent Board meeting.

Residents wearing red, some with the saying "Don’t Fear Ideas. Fear Book Banners," in support of teachers filled the auditorium to speak out against the book's rejection.

"I truly feel sorry for the teachers who are dealing with board members who are micromanaging and undermining their expertise," said resident Anneke Forzani.

The textbook in question was "The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology," which was ultimately voted down at the April 24 meeting because some felt it was too opinionated and ideological and didn't offer balanced perspectives. Read More: Sociology Book Rejected By Bernards Township School Board

10th grader Lucy Brodkin spoke at the meeting saying she had signed up to take Sociology next year but is starting to rethink that.

"I don't want to learn from a censored textbook because my school board thinks that I am too sensitive to learn about bigotry. Because trust me it's not new to me. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion that 'it doesn't tell the other side of the story' is just code for - I don't want students to learn racism is bad," said Brodkin. "I'm embarrassed by this board because disallowing this textbook is an abuse of your power."

Many of the more than 20 residents who spoke noted that they moved to Basking Ridge specifically for the school system, which most felt was now in jeopardy.

"It is perfectly normal to have feelings about or objections to parts of a classroom material - I get that - but when our feelings begin to eradicate our district's ability to empower staff, I assure you the only people who will lose in this scenario are the kids who are working with outdated textbooks and the ones who are unable to participate to the fullest potential," said resident Lauren Vaso.

There were a few residents who supported the Board's actions to reject the book.

"First of all the teachers. They are not a monolith. That would be scary if they all agreed with each other. Second of all, do not necessarily trust the 'experts.' They don't always know, they have proven themselves wrong. Certainly during the COVID nightmare time and time again," said resident Jean Rose.

Board member Lawrence Rascio voiced his opinion to the crowd's comments.

"All we asked was for a better-balanced textbook," said Rascio, who had voted the sociology book down. "To say that the district is going to go downhill because we rejected a sociology book again is just fear-mongering. It will though go down from an absolute failure to maintain physical and financial sounds to the district as well as the unwillingness to focus our attention on offering an education that positions these kids for future success."

Board member Kirsten Light, who also rejected the book, said the majority speaking at the meeting did not necessarily represent the majority of the community.

"All we are looking for is not to silence the left or the right, we are looking for balance in our education so they are provided with the tools in a textbook or supplemental materials that can be recommended as part of the curriculum through our committee process to show that balance will be occurring. And it will not be something swaying our children to one side or the other," said Light. "This may be the loud majority in this room but it is not necessarily the entire majority of the community."

Board member Ruchika Hira said the residents' concerns were not necessarily just from the rejection of a book.

"I think it's not the rejection of the textbook that is being questioned here, its the lack of trust that many of the people in our audience are feeling, the teachers and our administration, that are not being appreciated," said Hira.

Board member Robin McKeon commented on how the Board is not working together. She pointed to side conversations or lack of conversations with one another on the Board.

"It's dysfunctional basically and I think the community is seeing the division because it's not about politics it's about people who can’t even figure out how to get along," said McKeon on the school board. "And so, I think the board is setting a really bad example for the community in terms of how we are supposed to function. I don't think until this board decides that we all want to work together as a Board that we are going to make much progress here. I feel really bad for the community for what's going on."

Moving forward on what will happen next following the rejection, Board member Timothy Salmon, who chairs the curriculum committee, said they will meet and have to make a decision.

Salmon said the committee will have to decide to go back to using the current textbooks in place, supplementing the current book with other resources, or return to looking at another book suggested previously.

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