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Students tout FCCLA wins, residents press for teen-DV education as board rebuts DEI criticism
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Summary
Students reported strong results at the state FCCLA conference; two community advocates asked the board to add teen dating and domestic-violence education in middle schools and requested endorsement of a no-cost partnership; a resident called for dismantling DEI programs and the superintendent and board members disputed that account.
Students from John F. Kennedy High School told the board that JFK chapters earned 39 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze medals at the New Jersey FCCLA state leadership conference, and said 12 students qualified to attend the national conference in July.
"JFK received 39 gold medals, 6 silver medals, and 6 bronze medals," a student representative told the board, which responded with praise and thanks.
During public comment, Dwight Glenn, a member of the Woodbridge Domestic Response Team, described interviews with adolescents and urged the board to provide teen-dating and domestic-violence education beginning in middle school. "I would like the board to provide teen dating and DV information to students starting in middle school," Glenn said; Superintendent Dr. Massimino asked to speak with him after the meeting to discuss next steps.
Walt Pearson, also representing the Woodbridge Domestic Violence Response Team, asked the board for an endorsement to allow the DVRT to work with schools and counselors in partnership with the Stephanie Pars Foundation to present lessons at no cost to the township or board. "Our ask is for your endorsement allowing us to work with the schools and counselors to introduce these lessons at no cost to the township or board," Pearson said; Massimino offered to follow up.
A separate public commenter urged the board to "dismantle" DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives and warned that state or federal funding could be at risk, citing an amount the speaker referenced during remarks. Board members pushed back. Miss Anderson said the district no longer maintains the contested job description, stating, "The job description is is gone, and so I just wanted to make sure that that was clear." Massimino defended inclusive practices and said the district will continue to embrace differences.
The board heard the requests and indicated staff would follow up; presenters and district staff arranged to meet after the meeting to discuss content and logistics for the proposed domestic-violence lessons.
The meeting closed after the public-comment period and routine business items were completed.
