'Racist, Misogynistic' Comments Halt Heated Basking Ridge School Meeting

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Emotions ran high after "racist" and "misogynist" comments were made by the public causing school board members to end the Monday night Bernards Township Board of Education meeting early.

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"I am beyond upset to the point I really want to wait to respond," said Board member Ruchika Hira during the meeting on Monday night. "What is the most upsetting part is someone did come up here and made racist comments. They basically said our children should learn to 'grow a set' and you know what the community members did? They clapped and that to me is appalling."

Several residents spoke during the one-hour-and 10-minute public session making accusations and criticizing the board over a number of issues including teacher training that they claim includes white privilege or Critical Race Theory, and speaking about the recent arrest of former Ridge High School fencing coach Stephen Kovacs for sexual assault.

"I support the call out of Board of Education for their inexcusable, inability to deal promptly deliberately and responsibly with the issue of an alleged predator who operated within our school system and our community for two-plus years," said Carolyn Martynowski, who volunteered on the fencing board. "The school administration totally dropped the ball regarding supporting our concerned students and parents and community by not reacting quickly and loudly stating our stance."

Some residents expressed concern over an email sent by a social studies teacher to other district teachers and was shared on social media that talked about training involving white privilege.

One resident in particular who only identified himself as Mark from Gladstone accused the school board of "teaching our kids about race and how to hate each other."

He went on to call out the men on the board for not standing up for the kids, talked about "brown" kids, and made statements such as "grow a pair."

Superintendent Nick Markarian addressed Kovacs' arrest saying, "I can certainly take responsibility for not communicating faster and in greater depth and happy to reach out to parents who signed in to speak about this topic and will reach out to you this week."

Other board members were visibly angry as they expressed their disgust in the community's comments.

"We do our best up here and we get letters that tell us how bad people we are. And we have to prove we care about kids," said Board member Jennifer Korn. "I do care about the kids very much so or I wouldn't be sitting up here taking abuse night after night. It wouldn't be worth it. I don't get it. I don't get why there can't be a civil conversation about it."

"I almost don't even know what to say because I am so appalled about what transpired this evening," said Board member Jennifer White. "Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution."

Board member Robin McKinn pleaded with residents to "figure out someway to have civilized dialogue about these issues."

"I can't believe this is what the town that I love that I have been serving as a volunteer in the schools for the past 23 years has come to," said Board President Karen Gray. "I just don't even know what to say."

Gray then proceeded to end the meeting early.

The Bernards Township Education Association (BTEA) sent out a statement on Tuesday morning denouncing the comments made by the public.

"The Bernards Township Education Association (BTEA) is appalled and sickened by the racist and misogynistic comments made last night, which targeted Board of Education members, our staff, our programs and- worst of all- our students. It was an embarrassing spectacle that is further evidence of the rapid decline of public discourse and respectful dialogue in our communities.

Bernards Township is incredibly fortunate our district is led by Board of Education members who stand up against those who seek to divide us, which sadly now includes those in our own community. Last night, our Board of Education took a stand. They stood up against racism; stood up against misogyny; they stood up against misinformation; and they stood up against
fear.

The BTEA wants to thank our Board members for being brave enough to show the public that racism is not to be tolerated in our schools and public meetings are not opportunities for ideologues to grandstand. The BTEA will continue to work together with the Board of Education and Bernards Township community to support all of our students and their families. We are
committed to fostering an inclusive classroom environment that reflects the diverse world our students live in. We will work together to defend our character education programs and civic discourse.

Regardless of your political affiliation, educating the children of Bernards Township is—and should always be—a mission which vastly outweighs political rancor. Together, we must continue to focus on what is in the best interest of the children of this community. As was mentioned by Board members during the Board Forum last night, we all have one thing in common: the well-being of our children, now and in the future."

See below to watch the full meeting. Public comment begins around the 41:00 mark:

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