Rumors Over Sex Ed Curriculum Dispelled In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Discussions surrounding the possible revision of the district's sex education curriculum standards continue to be expressed at Bernards Township Board of Education meetings.

Parent and resident Frank Klausz said he had heard rumors about the state's new 66-page sex education curriculum that he wanted clarification on during Monday night's BOE meeting.

One rumor was that teachers in the Bernards Township School District were already being instructed to build gender diversity into the curriculum already, leaving no way for a parent to opt out.

"This is troubling to me as a parent and a resident," said Klausz.

Another rumor, Klausz said, was that foreign language classes would no longer be making references to masculine and feminine in their teachings.

• Related: Sex Ed Curriculum Prompts Calls For Transparency In Basking Ridge

Superintendent Nick Markarian struck down the rumors.

"I can't stand rumors... If you are hearing a rumor, I'd love to hear the source of the rumor. Because that really helps a lot with dispelling it if you can get to the root of the rumor," said Markarian. "We can do no more damage than with our loose lips. I just don't know where this stuff is coming from?"

Markarian said he and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Kristin Fox both have never heard anything about masculine versus feminine being eliminated in world language classes.

"If you are hearing about a rumor, and you can communicate some source, data to what's going on to help us get to the root of the matter, that would be greatly appreciated," said Markarian.

Another parent, Erica Goldberg reminded parents that the health curriculum is online to view and expressed her confusion on why some parents want to stop the program entirely when they have the option to opt-out.

"My second grader recently came home and told me about when she made an innocent comment about wanting some balls for the gaga pit at school and a fellow 8-year-old laughed at her and told her why wanting to play with balls was so funny. She was confused and upset that she was laughed at. I am very angered and disappointed that some people think their 8-year-old son can tell my daughter what balls are but a licensed teacher can’t explain what a uterus is," said Goldberg.

"Why shouldn't that boy learn the proper name for body parts. Why allow vulgarity on the playground but fuss about scientific and clinical words in the classroom?" Goldberg continued.

Markarian reminded parents that the district is still working on its health curriculum.

"Any types of changes will be clearly communicated so we can hear from parents as well as we work on that project over the summer," said Markarian.

At the April 25 meeting, Fox also reminded parents they have the option to opt their students out of the health program.

"Parents certainly have the opportunity to choose whether or not their child is going to participate in curriculum related to the family life programming," said Fox. Read More: Parents Can Opt Students Out Of Sex Ed Curriculum In Basking Ridge

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