June 26, 2023

Dear Montclair Board of Education and Educators:

We are writing to introduce you to the Montclair Chapter of The Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR), which is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civil rights and liberties, and promoting a common culture based on fairness, understanding, and our humanity. The chapter is committed to looking at difficult issues from multiple points of view, challenging each other’s ideas, listening with open minds, and addressing social and political issues in a way that seeks common ground and fosters civility. 

FAIR Montclair will focus initially on education, where we will coordinate with other interested parties to ensure that our schools encourage free inquiry, open debate, political neutrality and tolerance of diverse viewpoints. We are concerned that our district sometimes prioritizes the inculcation of social and moral values at the expense of academic learning and objective truth, and that some curricula may present political or social ideologies as fact rather than opinion. We believe an education that focuses on academic outcomes and employs proven teaching methodologies that will best position students for lifelong success and fulfillment. 

Among the specific incidents in Montclair schools that have caused concern for some of our members are the

following:

• In a 9th grade health class, one member’s daughter was given an assignment to write about losing her virginity or anal sex. The informational material for this assignment was graphic and, in the member’s opinion, inappropriate for a 14 year old. The same class taught that a gay person is “a person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender,” which, in this member’s view, was factually incorrect because gay people are sexually attracted to people of the same sex and not the same “gender,” which was defined in this class as one’s “innermost concept of self.”
• One member’s middle school child received a good grade and positive feedback on an essay that was riddled with errors in grammar, punctuation, organization and spelling. When the member reviewed the course curriculum, he found that it emphasized lessons on identity, feminism and patriarchy and showed a clear political bias. The member felt the teacher had prioritized one-sided political and moral instruction at the expense of academic learning.
• The elementary school of one member’s child is undertaking initiatives to instill children with narrow political and social values, rather than focusing on their academic development. Although this member agrees with some of those values, the member feels the school is usurping the role of the family in attempting to instill social and political values in the children and believes the school instead should focus on teaching facts, analytical skills, and exploring multiple viewpoints using critical thinking.
• In a 9th grade world literature class at the high school, one member’s child received an assignment asking whether children need a “traditional” family structure for proper development. This member felt the assignment was inappropriate because it was not germane to literature, and because it reflected an agenda that undermines the family even though children are more likely to flourish in a stable family structure.
• During a DEI training session for high school teachers, several devoted white teachers who had taught in Montclair for many years allegedly broke down and cried when they were accused of being “racists”.
• During a group project in the high school, one member’s child was told by another student that he was not entitled to an opinion on the issue at hand because he was a “privileged heterosexual cis-gendered white male.” Although this statement was not sanctioned by a teacher, the member feels it reflected an intolerant atmosphere at the high school.

We believe FAIR can help address these issues in a positive, constructive manner. We encourage you to explore the national and local websites and see for yourselves what the group stands for (https://www.fairforall.org and https://www.fairforall.org/montclair-NJ/). Of particular interest may be FAIR’s views on education at: https://www.fairforall.org/fair-in-education/ To the extent curriculum content is a concern to FAIR Montclair and other families with children in the district, we wanted to direct you to a Stockton University poll finding that two-thirds of New Jersey adults believe parents should be more involved in local decisions about what curriculum is taught in the schools, and only 5% said parents should be less involved in deciding what gets taught. https://stockton.edu/hughes-center/polling/documents/2023-0323-poll-involve-parents-in-decisions-about-what-subjects-are-taught-in-nj-schools.pdf This poll strongly suggests that the district should embrace transparency and seek consensus when it comes to its curriculum.

You also may be aware that the announcement of the Montclair chapter generated some social media that focused on FAIR’s advocacy concerning Critical Race Theory (CRT), without fully explaining the group’s position. Consistent with the position of the national FAIR organization, the Montclair chapter fully supports and encourages factual teaching about historical and present-day racism and discrimination in the United States, as well as teaching about the ongoing effects of such injustices. In our view, it would be impossible for students to understand the social and economic conditions of today without understanding these aspects of our country’s history. If CRT means the accurate teaching of American history—with all its sordid elements—then we favor it.

However, others think of CRT as a political ideology teaching students that their race defines them as belonging either to an oppressive, privileged class or to an oppressed, exploited class. This political version of CRT labels students based solely on immutable characteristics while denying their common humanity and unique

individuality. It also presents an over-simplified view of history and society that ignores or downplays the progress that has been made since the end of slavery and Jim Crow, as well as the significant role greater society has played in abolishing and overcoming unfair legal and economic systems. FAIR would oppose CRT where it is used to stigmatize students based on race, or is presented as an objectively true ideology without consideration of contrary facts, theories and opinions. FAIR supports allowing students to judge for themselves which conclusions are correct through critical analysis of facts as well as a variety of viewpoints, opinions and theories. 

CRT is unlikely to be the focus of FAIR’s efforts in town, however, because FAIR is not aware of this ideological version of CRT being taught in Montclair district schools. Of course, we may take issue with such curriculum if it comes to our attention, and FAIR will always seek to do so in a civil manner that respects the viewpoints of

others who may support such curriculum. For more information on FAIR’s position regarding CRT as applied in schools, please explore:  

• Teacher Dana Stangel-Plowe Speaks Out About Dwight-Englewood School, available at: https://youtu.be/WW1un7xzu1M
• Comment by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism on Proposed Priority 1 of Proposed Priorities —
• American History and Civics Education, May 19, 2021, available at: https://www.fairforall.org/content/pdfs/department-of-educaƟon/2021-05-19_fair-comment-on-doe-proposal.pdf
• The Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Learning for Justice” Standards: A Critique, available at: https://www.fairstory.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/105/2021/09/FAIR_SPLC_Commentary_1.pdf

Finally, we wish to inform you as a courtesy that we are submitting the attached request under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Our goal in making these requests is to gauge the extent to which the district’s policies, curricula and training material (a) reflect political ideologies and activist social agendas; (b) incorporate materials from politically active groups, including those organized on the basis of identity characteristics; (c) encourage or tolerate open inquiry, heterodox opinions, and freedom of thought and speech regarding controversial or political issues; (d) reflect different viewpoints and present facts in a fair and balanced manner; (e) adhere to the district’s policy concerning controversial issues and political activities; (f) essentialize or stigmatize students or staff based on immutable characteristics; and (g) prioritize the inculcation of social or political values over academic rigor and independent inquiry. 

We would be happy to discuss these requests with you. Upon receipt of the requested items, we will review and, if appropriate, more fully explain our views in a manner that seeks common ground and dialogue with others. 

We look forward to working with you. Our liaison for school related matters is Don Rifkin, whose contact information is provided in the cover email for this letter.

The Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism

Montclair Chapter