Sociology Book Rejected By Bernards Township School Board

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — After a "spirited" discussion, the Bernards Township Board of Education rejected a sociology book for Ridge High School students. Some members claimed the textbook was too opinionated and ideological and didn't offer balanced perspectives.

"What's the reason for pushing this textbook that is clearly fearless opinion?" said Board member Kevin Rascio at the Monday night meeting. "We are not preventing kids from getting textbooks. You are not presenting us with books that are worthy of approval."

The textbook at the center of the discussion was "The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology" printed by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. The Board was set to approve the purchase of 60 textbooks for a cost of $5,370 for the advanced placement Sociology elective course.

President Keith Molinari said the book "is no sociology, this is ideology."

Board member Timothy Salmon noted the book was approved by teachers and students prior to the recommendation. The book is also already being used in school districts such as Bridgewater-Raritan, Ridgewood, and Livingston.

"Some board members have taken issues with some of the topics that are being discussed. Rather than looking at these topics as opportunities for students to engage, debate, and critical thinking and research on different points of view with teachers helping to navigate them through thoughtful conversation," said Board member Jennifer White. "And to me, this demonstrates a lack of trust in our educators and a profound lack of understanding of educational pedagogy."

Rascio listed a few reasons he was in opposition to the textbook including it not accurately pointing to data about the voter ID laws and its impacts on minorities, and not telling the whole story surrounding the police fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri in 2014.

"I'm not a cop but I can recognize a murder when I see one. I'm not a teacher but I can recognize an opinion piece when I see one," said Rascio.

Salmon questioned Rascio's points, asking "You think Ridgewood also agrees that this book and also the publisher Norton - who is one of the biggest textbook publishers in the world - agrees with that, that they are publishing like what? Blatantly false information?"

"Yes, I do," said Rascio.

Vice President Nimish Amin countered some claims that members were banning books by their opposition. "It's not a matter of banning books it's a matter of the Board exercising its judgment and opinion after it has heard from the administration."

Student Representative Petra Deffenbaugh noted that while teachers in the district use textbooks to teach they also pull on other sources to balance out the topic.

"I think continuing to wait on this topic and possibly preventing students from having the accessible book next year is going to do more detriment than approving a textbook that is not always agreeable because the teacher will come up with alternative sources that provide different perspectives rather than just the textbook perspective or their own perspective," said Deffenbaugh.

Board member Robin McKeon, who taught sociology for a number of years, said "this is an upper-level elective class at Ridge. The students are smart enough to understand or are familiar with these topics that you are bringing up, they've read about it and heard it on the news. I totally trust that the conversations in class with be facilitated by the teachers," said McKeon.

Prior to the vote, the majority of residents voiced their opinions on not voting down the book.

"I really, really don't want to have headlines about our district that indicate that we are banning books or rejecting teacher-recommended textbooks. Certainly, that's not a district that I would want to be a part of and I am certain it would turn people off from moving or working here as well," said Anna Forzani.

One resident John Petitt was not in favor of the book.

"If there is a chance we are harming the children with the curriculum I think we need to choose not to do that," said Petitt.

The textbook approval was ultimately voted down. Molinari, Rascio, Amin, Kirsten Light and Csilla Csipak voted against the book while McKeon, Salmon, White and Ruchika Hira were in favor of the book.

After the vote Superintendent Nick Markarian reassured teachers that they still have the full support from the Board.

"It's ok to disagree sometimes and I know we have a lot of teachers sitting here tonight. … I know that this seems like a disappointment and maybe a frustration because we have worked on looking at a couple of different books and we have gotten to a place that is more universally supported but don't take that to mean that you are not supported. I know you shake your heads but you as teachers are supported. I know this board is not sitting here looking at ways not to support teachers. I believe that about all 9 of our board members," said Markarian.

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