The interim superintendent of the Morris School District on Wednesday rejected assertions by a Morristown pastor that the district suppressed student discussion of last year’s controversial events in Ferguson, Mo., and Staten Island.
“We have looked into the matter and found several instances in which these events were discussed openly in our classrooms and are not aware of any instances in which our students were prohibited or discouraged from speaking about them,” Catherine Mozak said in a statement.
The interim superintendent responded to remarks Pastor Sidney Williams Jr. made at a Martin Luther King Day breakfast on Monday.
Williams, pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Morristown, told a packed ballroom at the Hyatt Morristown that Morris County youths who attended a church forum on Jan. 9, 2015, had shared how “they were not allowed to discuss the events of Ferguson in class. They were not allowed to speak about what happened in Staten Island.”
He referred to the deaths of black men in confrontations with police, events that sparked “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations locally and across the country.
After Monday’s breakfast, the minister said the students who had raised concerns at his church were from the Morris, Parsippany and Randolph school districts.
“They were told what to think and how to respond, and they trembled, and they cried, and they are afraid,” Williams said while delivering a prayer at the Morris Interfaith Breakfast, which was marking its 30th year.
Asked on Wednesday if he stood by his comments, Williams replied: “I do. I believe our children. Why would they lie?”
Mozak echoed remarks by district school board President Leonard Posey, who attended Monday’s breakfast.
“As our Board President stated, we were surprised and concerned to hear the suggestion that students were prohibited from discussing the recent events in Ferguson and Staten Island in our schools,” Mozak said.
“Our district policy and practice encourage open dialogue and discussion,” she said.
“These are difficult and disturbing issues to consider, even for adults. It is certainly understandable that children may struggle with the emotions these events elicit in school and at home. It is encouraging to know that our teachers, counselors, and other important community resources are available to support our children and encourage them to share their concerns and feelings.”
Williams said on Wednesday that minority students from the Frelinghuysen Middle School had told his forum that they were disturbed by a language arts assignment to write an essay about why they should not fear police.
“They are afraid,” Williams said. ” That’s not a discussion.”
The pastor said he spoke informally with a Morris district administrator after Monday’s breakfast. The school board is nearing a choice for a permanent superintendent, and Williams said he hopes the new person will speak with teachers about sensitivity towards minority students.
“Teachers may not be too sensitive to the one or two black children in a classroom…but even if there’s one, you have to be sensitive,” Williams said.
The Morris School District teaches more than 5,200 students from Morristown, Morris Township and (high school only) Morris Plains.
Video: Pastor Sidney Williams Jr. addresses Morris Interfaith Breakfast
How great if the superintendent et al had responded gratefully to Pastor Williams. “Really? We’re troubled to hear this. Tell us more. Help us to understand how the kids could feel this way. We’re surprised and upset to hear this and want to make it better.” I agree with Pastor Williams: I doubt the kids were faking those tears. School district: wish you saw this as an opportunity to talk to these kids and reflect.
Rev Williams said the Mayor was there when the children cried. Let’s here from the mayor. Did he hear it or not?