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Resident accuses board members of attending NJ Family Policy Center summit; board members deny wrongdoing
Summary
A resident said three board members attended a summit hosted by the New Jersey Family Policy Center and alleged the group's political aims conflict with board duties; the named board members responded at the Feb. 17 meeting saying they attended privately, did not sign pledges and that the event focused on parental-rights policy.
A resident of Old Bridge told the Board of Education on Feb. 17 that she was concerned several board members had attended a summit organized by the New Jersey Family Policy Center and that the group's positions could conflict with the board's ethical obligations to represent all students.
"My name is Alexis. I'm a resident of Old Bridge. I have two kids in the district," the speaker said, and named three board members she said appeared in public photos from the event: Christina Mazzone, Brooke Richards Patterson and Karen Venkatesen. Alexis said the summit, which she described as promoting "extremist positions" including restrictions on curriculum and anti-LGBTQ stances, undermined trust and warranted direct responses from those members.
Board members named by the resident spoke at the meeting to respond. One board member said she attended on personal time and had "never heard of what the New Jersey policy group was," adding that the session was open to vetted members of the public and focused on parental-rights policy rather than anti-LGBTQ or exclusionary measures. Another board member said she went as a private citizen to learn about ideas and emphasized that she follows the district's policies and bylaws when acting in her official capacity. A third board member said she and her colleagues did not sign any pledge and denied that discriminatory topics were discussed.
The resident asked two specific questions: why the members attended and whether they support the New Jersey Family Policy Center's policies. The members who spoke said they attended for information and not as a formal endorsement, and that they intend to uphold the board's code of ethics and district policies.
The board did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting. The exchange occurred during the hearing of residents on agenda items; the board subsequently moved into closed executive session and did not return to the public meeting.
What the record shows - Claim: Alexis alleged attendance at a summit organized by the New Jersey Family Policy Center and asserted that the organization's aims could conflict with board duties. - Response: Board members named by Alexis said they attended in a personal capacity, denied signing pledges or endorsing discriminatory policies, and said they adhere to district policies when acting as board members.
The complaint and responses remain matters of public record from the Feb. 17 meeting; the board did not announce follow-up steps at that session.
