I finally had a chance to finish watching the almost 3 hour video from the Old Bridge Township Public Schools Curriculum and Special Services Committee meeting that was held on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:00pm. With an estimated 75-150 people in attendance, many spoke during the public commentary. At times, the conversation started to escalate, but order was quickly restored and calmed down. Keeping order was important, and done well. Religion and religious beliefs were stressed often in the conversations and comments. There were a few that spoke in favor of the standards, but they were only a minority compared to the amount of parents that were against the age inappropriate standards.
In a previous meeting, the board had already voted 8-0 “NO” to the new curriculum, pending on the meeting public commentary that took place on September 28th. The meeting’s outcome solidified the previous vote.
Commentary by 3 of the Board Members at the end of the meeting recognized the parents concerns and voiced that the board has heard them, understands them and being elected by the public, they are carrying out the public’s wishes. The Board also addressed the negative spin that proponents of these standards have and will continue to use. One board member lightly spoke in favor behind the reasoning of the age level incorporation and she was interrupted by a member of the public, who was quickly reminded the public commentary section is now over.
A Legal Note
In answer to a question by a board member; the Board Attorney Christopher B. Parton, Esq. stated “the fact is the administration has to implement what the state hands down as filtered through the Board of Education.” He then referenced Old Bridge Board of Education Policy 2220 Adoption of Courses and New Jersey Statutes Title 18A. Education 18A § 33-1 “no course of study will be taught in the schools of this school district unless it has been adopted by the board and that requires 5 votes, regardless of how many board members are present.”
Video of Board of Education Curriculum Meeting
September 28, 2022
Just short of 3 hours long, I don’t really expect anybody to have the time or attention span to watch the whole video. With that being said, below I have referenced timestamped links of sections and standout clips of the video I think are noteworthy.
Meeting Announcement and Agenda
The Curriculum and Special Services Committee will be held on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:00pm in the OBHS Auditorium. Old Bridge Township Public Schools and the Board of Education are working diligently to address your concerns and questions regarding the new K-8 health curriculum. This will take some time, as this is a complex issue. We ask for your input, as well as your patience. Full transparency is our main goal. Prior to the meeting, we ask that parents go through the health curriculum in your child’s grade and bring your specific concerns/questions to the meeting. The meeting will be organized so that all participants can share their questions and concerns in a safe and open environment, similarly to a regular meeting. The Board of Education and District Administration can then use your feedback and specific questions to move forward.
You can view the list HERE of School Districts, Town Councils and County Commissioners that have passed resolutions or made decisions against the NJ Sex Ed Standards.