Everett Jackson, a tenured language arts teacher at Avenel Middle School, publicly announced at the Woodbridge Board of Education meeting on Dec. 18 that he is designating himself a SIPA whistleblower and accused colleagues of attempting to ban a novel from instruction.

"I resisted and refused to cooperate in a book banning action by a subject leader at the school," Jackson said during the public comment portion, adding that he has faced retaliation and that removing him from staff would deprive students of ongoing instructional projects. He said he has documented communications and is prepared to provide witness testimony to investigators.

Superintendent Dr. Massimino responded that subject‑area leaders do not have authority to approve or remove lesson plans and that only a principal or their designee can approve curriculum decisions. "They don't approve lesson plans," Massimino said, noting the limits of subject leaders' authority.

An administrator identified in the meeting transcript as "Mister Ali" told the board the matter had been investigated and that the novel The Pearl "is on the board approved list, which you were made aware of, it was approved in 2008 and remains on the list." The administrator added that additional copies of the book were purchased by the school and provided to the teacher.

Board counsel asked Jackson whether he waived his privacy rights so the board could respond; Jackson said he did and welcomed a public response. The board did not take any formal personnel action during the public comment period; Jackson said he intends to pursue ethics and outside channels referenced in his remarks.

The board did not announce any follow‑up action at the meeting. The superintendent said information about investigations or personnel matters would be released when confidentiality rules no longer applied.