Schools

Parsippany Schools Don't Censor Students, Administration Says

District kicks back at Morristown pastor's claims made at Martin Luther King Day event.

The Parsippany School District says it never heard about its students being censored by teachers regarding sensitive social issues that took place in 2014, despite what a local pastor said.

On Monday at the 30th annual Morristown Interfaith Breakfast at the Hyatt Morristown, Rev. Sydney Williams of Bethel AME Church in Morristown said students he encountered from Parsippany School District were not allowed to discuss in class the shooting death of Michael Brown and choking death of Eric Garner, both at the hands of police officers.

“They were told what to think and how to respond, and they trembled, and they cried, and they are afraid,” Williams said during his speech at the event, which can be seen in the video below.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“It is not our practice to censor students from speaking about current events,” said Joan Benos, the administration’s Chief of Staff and district public information officer. “If (Reverend Williams) has specifics that he would like to share with us we would be happy to meet with him and any Parsippany student(s) he referenced.”

Subscribe to Parsippany Patch’s free daily newsletter for more local news, and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox, by clicking here.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.