New Sex Ed Curriculum Approved By Hillsborough School Board

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Board of Education voted recently to pass the controversial updated sex education curriculum, after months of criticism from some parents in the district.

All of the Hillsborough Board Members, with the exception of Gregory Gillette, voted in favor of the revised curriculum at the Aug. 22 meeting. This follows the new 66-page sex education mandate for all New Jersey public schools that are required to start teaching it in the 2022-23 school year.

One eighth-grade mother said she was "concerned that my 12 and 13-year-old son is going to be learning in school the correct way to perform oral sex, receive oral sex, perform anal sex."

Board member Cynthia Nurse said that she previewed the curriculum and didn't remember seeing anything about the correct way to perform "anal sex, oral sex, any of that."

Nurse asked Acting Superintendent Kim Feltre to clarify the curriculum who also said she didn't remember seeing that either.

"When I went over and reviewed it… there was no direct teaching of those types of things that you described," said Feltre.

Board Member Elaine Jackson encouraged concerned parents to reach out to their teachers.

"I am not a proponent of a mandate like this," said Jackson. "My feedback, impression is that if there is any question definitely reach out to the teacher. I think they are more than happy to clarify any questions."

Jackson also reminded any parent and guardian that they have the ability to opt-out.

"If you choose to opt-out you are so within your rights and I think that's the best thing for you and your family," said Jackson.

Nurse added that she has a 13-year-old entering 8th grade and a 15-year-old entering sophomore year.

"I was very comfortable with everything that I have seen," said Nurse.

Heather Loricco, a parent, was concerned about the "misinformation and disinformation" continuously shared at the board meetings by parents.

"Anytime parents take an active role in their child's education that is something we all embrace. As a parent and teacher myself obviously I want parents to be actively involved and reflecting on what their children are learning in the classroom. However when it comes from a disingenuous place and when deliberate misinformation and disinformation is used in an attempt to impact what students are learning, how students are accepted and respected in the classroom then that becomes a problem," said Loricco.

After the board voted to pass the revised curriculum, Hillsborough student representative on the board Ray Fofana shared her experience with the controversial topic.

"While I understand some of the conversations involving sex education can be extremely uncomfortable I think from my own experience all of my teachers have handled it very well. And have made sure that the environment is inclusive and all students are best prepared to protect themselves. And I think the way that is done is through transparency," said Fofsana.

The revised curriculum can be accessed here.

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