What you can do

The books are safe for now, but there's still work to be done:

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• The NHHS librarian was slandered during public comments at the Sept. 28 BOE meeting, at which the presiding officer failed to effectively perform the duties outlined in Policy 0167 on public participation in board meetings. The Board has yet to make a public statement defending her integrity, performance, and professionalism. She deserves to have her reputation restored. Send a letter to the Board before Feb. 22 (here's a sample).
   

• Our "This Book Must Stay" report has outlined numerous policy and process lapses. Most concerning among them is NHHS administrators' disregard of Regulation 9130 in establishing the Reconsideration Committee, which did not include a lay person with knowledge in the area of the work (the LGBTQ+ youth experience).

 

Let the Board know that it needs to speak up for the librarian and shape up its administrators.

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• Write a letter to Board members, superintendent Jeffrey Bender (jbender@nhvweb.net), assistant, and superintendent Rich Bergacs (rbergacs@nhvweb.net). A sample letter is available for you to use or modify.
   

• Call the Board office (908-735-2846), or
   

• Speak at the Feb. 22, 2022, BOE meeting 

 

When you communicate with the Board, ask:

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• How and when will the district defend the integrity of its slandered school librarian, as directed in board Policy 2530?

• How will the Board modify its operations to prevent further slander and harassment of staff?​

• Why did NHHS administrators disregard Regulation 9130's stipulation that the committee include a lay person knowledgeable in the area of the work?

• ​How will the district prevent such policy violations in the event of future book challenges?

• How and when will the district address the issues raised and the recommendations made in the "This Books Must Stay" report?

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If you choose to speak during the public comments section of the meeting, follow these guidelines:

 

• Prepare remarks no longer than 3 minutes

• Speak respectfully

• Do not demean individual members of the Board, administration, or school staff

• Express appreciation to the volunteer members of the Board for their patience during the last few months when they have been verbally attacked by unruly protestors