NJ Governor On School District’s Halloween Ban: ‘Give Me A Break’

ESSEX COUNTY — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his critics have found some rare common ground: their disdain for a local school district’s ban on Halloween.

Earlier this month, the superintendent of the South Orange and Maplewood Public School District announced that the district is laying down some new rules this Halloween season in the name of diversity and inclusion. Read More: No Halloween During School Hours This Year, NJ District Says

One of them? “We will not have any Halloween-themed events at any South Orange and Maplewood Public School District schools during school hours.”

Another? “No costumes will be worn during school hours.”

The Halloween debate is something that resurfaces every year in the district. Some people have questioned whether Halloween activities are culturally or religiously offensive to some students and their families. Others say that school-sponsored Halloween activities may create “indirect and unintentional financial hardships” for families, Superintendent Ronald Taylor said.

Murphy apparently disagrees.

“Seriously?” the governor posted Tuesday on social media. “We can't let kids celebrate Halloween?”

“Give me a break,” Murphy added.

The governor’s social media stance saw some rare comments of support from his detractors.

“I agree with you for once,” a commenter wrote. “What part of Halloween isn’t inclusive? It'd be one thing if only one group celebrated it as a rule, but it’s for everyone.”

“This is about the only thing I’ll ever agree with Murphy on,” another person said.

Murphy’s statement also got some replies in support of the district’s decision, however.

“Retired teacher here - many children do not celebrate Halloween,” one person commented. “There are multitudes of ways to celebrate outside school. It does not need to be celebrated during the school day.”

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