Parents Blast Warren School Board For Not Passing Sex, Health Curriculum

WARREN, NJ — Multiple parents and a student graduate criticized the Warren Township School Board members on Monday night after the state's controversial updated sex and health education curriculum was not passed.

The residents were responding to the board's stalemate 4 to 4 vote when they could not come to an agreement about the curriculum at the school board's Aug. 29 meeting. Read More: Sex Education Curriculum Fails To Pass At Warren School Board Meeting

"I understand and respect that some parents do not want this curriculum taught to their kids. I respect everyone's right to determine what is best for their child. It is not my place to make that decision for any parent," said Warren resident Shefali Tejani during the Sept. 19 meeting. "At the same time, it is also not anyone's place to make that decision for me and yet that is what four of you did by voting no. It seems you only favor parental choice when that choice favors your beliefs."

Tejani was referring to Board members Mark Bisci, Daniel Croson, Ryan Valentino, and Todd Weinstein who all voted "no" to passing the new curriculum. Members David Brezee, Lisa DiMaggio, Laura Keller, and Patricia Zohn all voted in favor of the curriculum.

"Each parent's concerns about if the curriculum is a fit for their own family are valid. I'm not here to judge anyone for their views but in no way should they overwrite my children," said Warren resident Craig Margolies. "Instead of giving parental choice what you have done is given parents veto power over other parents' children."

A former graduate of Warren Township schools and the Watchung Hills Regional High School Matthew Kiel also shared his concerns for current students.

"As someone who went through your education system. My educational experience in terms of sex ed has been fairly comprehensive and I hope that students who are entering the system right now will not be denied these opportunities to have a sex-ed curriculum," said Kiel.

With the board not voting to pass the new curriculum, Superintendent Dr. Matthew Mingle previously said the district would have to continue with the 2019 curriculum. The Board Attorney also advised that the Board is now in violation of state law and to be aware of whatever ramifications might impact the board.

"My concerns are not specifically about the health curriculum but rather the precedent that not following the state standards and our own policies sets for the future," said Jaime Margolies.

New Jersey recently announced it would discipline districts who refused to implement the new health standards.

The state Department of Education said those districts not in compliance will be subject to "disciplinary action" and parents who choose to opt-out must write a letter explaining that the lessons don't align with their personal values or beliefs to the principal, according to northjersey.com.

The Warren school board did not comment further on the curriculum and immediately went into a more than an hour-long executive session following public comment. After the executive session, the Board voted to end the meeting with no further comment.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in the middle school.

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