'Hate Has No Place' In Westfield Schools, Board Meetings, Superintendent Says

WESTFIELD, NJ — Emotions continue to run high in Westfield as many parents and residents urged the Board of Education(BOE) to address antisemitism in the curricula and with the newly appointed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator.

"Now more than ever school districts are faced with unexpected challenges for which we don’t always have an immediate answer. Global events, domestic, rapid advances in technology all being among them," said Superintendent Raymond Gonzalez at the almost 3-hour BOE meeting on Nov. 21. "We will continue to address any crisis with urgency while remaining deliberative in our response and always mindful of the needs of all of our students."

González also addressed the public after receiving backlash at the October meeting regarding his comments on the ongoing events in the Middle East. Read More: Backlash, Call For Removal Of Westfield School Board Member

"I want to be 100 percent clear that I as the Superintendent of schools and the entire Westfield public school district strongly condemn antisemitism, islamophobia, racism, discrimination and any acts of harassment, intimidation, bullying, hate, and terrorism of any kind. Hate has no place in our schools, in our board meetings, and in our community," said Gonzalez.

Parents took to the podium to urge the district to include more curricula addressing antisemitism and also asked that the new description for the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator also specifically include antisemitism.

The Board approved the hiring of Anna Munoz as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, effective Dec. 1, with a salary of $20,000.

Gonzalez said the position is intended to serve as additional support for students, staff, and parents.

He also said specific wording for antisemitism was not included in the job description as the position is to ensure "all" categories are covered by the position.

"There needs to be a concerted and direct effort to empower our teachers, to engage our students in conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion of all kinds which is the reason why we have not included in the job description, any delineation of each and every category bc we want to make sure that all means all approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion does not in any way exclude anyone," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez added, "Religion, race, ethnicity, abilities, and gender identity, and any other category - that is protected or considered to be marginalized or oppressed in any way - we want to ensure it has the opportunity to be supported by the work of our school district."

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