TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Despite an apology from the Westwood Regional School District board president, Westwood Teachers Association’s president demanded apologies from certain school trustees May 11 that he alleged had painted some district teachers “negatively” by accusing them of modifying a health curriculum, making curriculum changes, and “cherry picking” materials to teach the state-mandated health and sex education curriculum.
WEA president Christopher Pinto did not publicly single out trustees and no individual apologies were publicly offered by any trustee at the meeting.
At the April 27 meeting, Pinto was joined by more than 100 teachers, and allied families and students to criticize board members for public statements that teachers introducing the concept of families had “gone rogue” by mentioning families with two mommies and two daddies. Those trustee comments were made at the March 20 meeting.
Moreover, at the May 11 meeting, residents disagreed with the board’s formation of an ad hoc committee to review the age-appropriateness of state-mandated health and sex education standards for the district and formulate possible future actions.
Prior to the April meeting, Pinto issued a statement criticizing trustees’ comments at the March 20 meeting “where a conversation centered around the matter of one or more teachers speaking in the classroom on the topic of families including two mommies and two daddies in their daily lesson plans, only to be characterized during board discussions as ‘going rogue’ on a ‘sensitive topic.’”
On May 11, Pinto said a statement of apology issued by Board President Michael Pontillo was “not sufficient” although he thanked Pontillo for his attempt “to repair misdeeds of some on this dais.”
Pinto said, “We are here this evening (May 11) to once again ask for apologies from the members who made those statements I quoted before and to ask that you clarify to those in the community who may have misunderstood. The accusations some of you made are false and should have never happened,” he said. ”You need to take ownership of your mistakes and correct them.”
“Coupled with comments by board members containing inflammatory statements about the ‘transgender contagion,’ New Jersey’s layered approach to teaching acceptance, and accusations of ‘woke teachers unions’ teaching demoralizing history lessons, the two items I have mentioned tonight have created a divide in our district.” Pinto said.
He said, “And there’s no place for these ideas in public education,” adding that the school system’s role was to make students “feel safe and welcome. Please help us to do that by admitting that mistakes were made by you. Together we can remove the barriers which divide so many and correct those mistakes,” he said.
An estimated teachers, dressed in “Cardinal” red, erupted in applause.
Pontillo sent out an email May 5 to the “Westwood Community.” It read in part:
“On behalf of the Westwood Regional Board of Education, we would like to express our sincerest apologies for any inappropriate comments recently made by any members of this Board of Education. This board will be more clear, concise and effective with all communications with the public moving forward. This board does not promote nor condone discrimination of any kind, for any people. We believe in upholding our policies and treating all students and families with equal respect, understanding and acceptance.”
He continued, “We believe in and encourage diversity, inclusion and acceptance for all and want to continue to move this district forward and in a positive light. We want you all to know that we plan to do our best to make that happen going forward. Thank you to all who attended the last board meeting (April 27) and voiced their opinions and concerns.”
Pontillo said, “We have heard each of you loud and clear. The tenor of the meeting was not one which is reflective of who we all are as a community. We would encourage all attendees to remain respectful and to treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves. We can all do better!”
At least a dozen speakers on May 11 accused the regional board of “overreach” by its criticism of specific teachers allegedly going rogue, criticizing state-mandated health and sex ed standards, and forming an ad hoc committee to review the age-appropriateness of such standards.
The ad hoc committee formed April 27 is composed of James Parrino, Stacey Price, Laura Cooper, and Pontillo, as an ex-officio member.
Some residents criticized the committee May 11 for not including trustee Jason Garcia. Several speakers on May 11 said Garcia should be on the committee.
However, Pontillo said previously that Garcia was left off because Pontillo alleged that no one trusted him and no one wanted to work with him, following a vote of no-confidence in January.
No updates were provided on May 11 about any ad hoc meetings or progress.
According to state law, the public school district is required to follow all state curriculum mandates. Throughout New Jersey, the Comprehensive Health & Physical Education Standards have created controversy, with some districts threatening to not teach the standards due to alleged community or moral objections.
State law permits parents to opt out children to specific health and sex education lesson plans that they object to. Students are provided alternate lessons while their peers receive the state-mandated curriculum, said district officials.
M.S. Honors Programs Ending
Other parents expressed disappointment and frustration with the demise of a longstanding middle school honors program, and the way they were notified of its ending.
An email from Westwood Regional Middle School Principal Nicole Ferlise said that after a survey of 26 nearby school districts and seeing best practices from the Association for Middle Level Education, a decision was made to “incrementally eliminate leveled (honors) classes” in middle school.
“In the 2021–2022 school year, French Honors was eliminated and in the 2022–2023 School year, Science Honors was eliminated. In the 2023–2024 school year. History, Spanish, and English Language Arts Honors will be eliminated as well. However, please note we are still providing Math 7 Accelerated and Algebra I Accelerated in 8th grade to all students who qualify,” Ferlise wrote.
“Algebra I is a high school course, and when offered at the middle school level constitutes an accelerated math program. While the process to revise naming our programs of studies may seem to be a new idea, Westwood Regional Middle School continues to offer a variety of classes, higher level instruction to meet the needs of each individual student, and materials and resources that drive critical thinking and advanced learning,” wrote Ferlise.
Joel Gutteridge, a township resident with four children and a current seventh and tenth grader, said he’s had “endless conversations” about what constituted an honors program in the school district. He said he had inquired for years about the program and wondered why the honors program was ending.
“I find that disgraceful,” he said, noting next year’s classes will have eight to 10 classes of math next year where all the kids “will be lumped together” and it will be up to teachers to discern among them based on learning abilities.
He asked to know who voted for the end in honors programs “to totally disenfranchise our high-achieving students.”
Westwood resident Virginia Carey called the elimination of middle school honors programs “a disservice to the students who enjoy being challenged by a highly rigorous academic program.”
She noted, “just as sports can be competitive, so can academics.” She said the elimination of such programs, “feels like we’re taking a step back with this change: and noting the “topic seems to have come out of left field.”
She said she would have “expected more than just a letter…the topic warrants more debate and discussion.” She asked any trustee to make such a motion — but at that point the meeting broadcast went dark for 90 seconds and returned back with a female student testifying about the impacts from the program’s end on her future school choices.
It was unclear if any motions were made to further discuss the ending of middle school honors programs.
Ferlise said the district will still offer gifted and talented programs for students possessing or demonstrating high ability levels in specific content areas.
Ferlise added, “As always, our primary objective is to facilitate a middle school experience that is based upon developmental readiness, needs, and interests of adolescents. We thank you for your continued partnership.”