Mountainside School District held it’s Board of Education regular meeting on Tuesday September 20, 2022. The meeting was packed with over 50 people in attendance. During public commentary, approximately 20 people spoke up regarding the sex ed curriculum and their opposition to it.
Board Members Commentary
Mr. Venes stated he contacted the county office and asked what happens if the curriculum wasn’t approved. He stated he couldn’t receive specifics in regards to information.
Mrs. Schiano stated she feels “blackmailed by the (NJ) department of education” that if a decision was not made in favor of “what they want” they would face ramifications.
Dr. Guidicipietro stated the NJDOE are bullying them as board members.
“As a clinical psychologist, I am licensed to protect the welfare of children and that is unethical for me to vote for something like this. Then they’re telling me as a board member it is unethical if I’m not voting for it. It is hypocritical, it is unacceptable, and I feel very, I’m very angry that the state is putting us in this vulnerable, uncomfortable situation and then holding money over our head and saying that we are going to be brought up on ethical charges and and possibly doing something horrible to our amazing teachers that we have. … I just think it’s disgusting and I really can’t stomach it. I’m not going to swallow it. With that being said; I just want to say, there’s some part of the curriculum that I do think is very important. I’m not naive. I know what my kids do and see, but I don’t think one size fits all.”
Mr. Venes added:
“If we do what they want, I’ll bet you’ll see more mandates for different decisions coming. This is just a start and you’ll see more. And they’ll hold the money over you. But if enough people voice their opinion against it, things will change. But if everybody sits back and just goes along with it, you’ll keep getting more. It’s like social engineering.”
Mr. Hyman commented:
“I think it’s worth saying once more, Janet said this a couple of times, this is not one size fits all. There is a state blueprint here, which is a mandate, but that is not what we are adopting, we are not voting on that tonight. What we are voting on is the Mountainside version of it and that’s for us to review. I think that needs to be made clear. Very different from what the state has put out. We can argue, but it’s pointless to argue about it. That is where we started, where we’ve ended is the work that you guys have done.
Dr. Guidicipietro then apologized.
Motion to Approve Item 1. Curriculum
Move to approve upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following curricular documents for Mountainside Schools: (Attachment #14-16)
The Board voted “NO” with a majority 6-1 vote total.
No: Mr. Dillon, Dr. Guidicipietro, Mrs. Pupo, Mr. Ruban, Jr., Mrs. Schiano, Mr. Venes
Yes: Mr. Hyman