WARREN COUNTY, NJ – The Board of County Commissioners, concerned with recent state guidelines regarding the teaching of a highly sensitive curricula to young children, unanimously adopted a resolution recently calling for a ban on teaching the information in the sample curriculum the state has provided.
The commissioners also called for developing the framework for a Parental Bill of Rights to use as a model for schools in the county. that would allow them to make their own decisions regarding their child’s education and exposure to sensitive information.
On motion by James Kern, seconded by Lori Ciesla, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Warren at a meeting held April 27, 2022.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF A PARENT’S BILL OF RIGHTS CONCERNING THE PROTECTION AND EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN
WHEREAS, recent guidelines provided by the New Jersey Department of Education (the “Department of Education”), legislation enacted by the New Jersey Legislature and signed into law by Governor Murphy, and the associated sample curricula regarding the teaching of a highly sensitive curricula to our young children, particularly grades K-2 is both disturbing and concerning to the parents and citizens here in Warren County (the “County”) and throughout the State of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, all Commissioners have been contacted by Warren County residents related to this sensitive issue; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education’s guidelines were promulgated, and the legislation was passed and signed into law in 2020 and 2021, as applicable, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when New Jersey residents were sheltering in place and there was not adequate opportunity for public comment and parents did not have any input into this disturbing and highly sensitive curricula that will be taught to our young children; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Warren is hereby calling on Governor Murphy, the New Jersey Legislature and the Department of Education to return the decisions to local School Boards regarding such highly sensitive curricula for our young children ; and
WHEREAS, the County also desires to work with our parents, community leaders and professionals to develop the framework for a Parental Bill of Rights to use as a model for our County schools, as well as our local school districts, that will, among other things, protect our children, notify our parents of the curricula being taught to their children, in our schools and allow them to make their own decisions regarding their child’s education and exposure to sensitive information; and
WHEREAS, the public should have an opportunity to be heard on this issue of curricula being taught which so significantly impacts the family unit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Warren as follows:
- We hereby demand that Governor Murphy, the New Jersey State Legislature and the Department of Education ban such highly sensitive curricula for our young children that was developed out of the aforesaid guidelines, legislation and sample curricula; and
- The Administrator is directed to schedule a public forum at a convenient location as soon as possible to afford Warren County residents an opportunity to be heard related to deciding what young children should be taught in schools; and
- The County Commissioner Director, the County Administrator and County Counsel are each authorized and directed to work with our parents, community leaders and professionals to develop the framework for a Parental Bill of Rights to use as a model for our County schools, as well as for local school districts, that will, among other things, protect our children, notify parents of the curricula being taught to their children in our schools and allow them to make their own decisions regarding their child’s education and exposure to sensitive information; and
- The Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners is hereby authorized and directed to forward this resolution to Governor Murphy; the New Jersey Legislature; the Department of Education; the County Superintendent of Schools; the local School Board and private and charter schools; New Jersey League of Municipalities; all County Boards of County Commissioners; the Mayor and Committees/Council of all towns within the County of Warren and the New Jersey State Board of Education.
