Essex County School Board Association Passes Book Ban Resolution

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County School Boards Association has taken an official stand on the controversial issue of book bans: “Protect the freedom to read.”

During a special meeting on Sept. 27, the board voted 14-3 to approve a resolution that proposes the following additional policy language to File Code 6161.1 for adoption by the Delegate Assembly and inclusion in the New Jersey School Boards Association’s manual of positions and policies on education:

“The NJSBA believes: 1) All school officials, as well as school administrators and librarians should uphold the right to access educational information and resist any efforts to ban books. 2) The NJSBA pledges to work collaboratively with other organizations and stakeholders to advocate for policies that protect the freedom to read and to learn.”

The Essex County School Boards Association (ECSBA) is a collective body representing public school boards' interests in Essex County. Its membership comprises all 22 constituent school districts in the county.

According to a statement from the ECSBA, their resolution “aims to ensuring that the education of students in New Jersey is balanced and inclusive.” It also addresses the “contentious issue of book bans, making important strides toward safeguarding academic freedom and the diversity of thought in our schools.”

Read it online here.

The resolution comes at a time that book bans and school censorship have become a hot-button issue nationwide – including Essex County.

In February, the Glen Ridge Public Library board of trustees voted against a proposed book ban after a conservative advocacy group tried to have six books with LGBTQ+ themes removed from the shelves.

Meanwhile, a larger group of parents, residents, clergy, and educators have been rallying to keep the books in the library, claiming the ban would send a "clear message" that people who identify as LGBTQ+ aren't welcome in Glen Ridge.

• See Related: Proposed Book Ban Shot Down In Glen Ridge; LGBTQ Advocates Cheer

In May, Sen. Teresa Ruiz (NJ-29) – who represents Newark in Essex County – helped to spearhead a proposed state law that would protect against book bans in New Jersey libraries and schools by potentially withholding state funding.

• See Related: Book Bans Targeted In New Jersey Democrats’ New Bills

The board’s announcement of their resolution coincided with the national 2023 Banned Books Week, which runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7.

“Banned Books Week reminds us that the strength of our education system lies in its diversity and inclusivity,” said ECSBA president Reginald Bledsoe said.

“By passing this resolution, we are taking a stand against censorship and ensuring that our students have access to a wide range of perspectives that reflect the complexities of our world,” Bledsoe said.

“This resolution is not just about opposing book bans; it's about establishing robust and fair guidelines for selecting instructional materials in observance of Banned Books Week,” Bledsoe added.

Shawneque Johnson of the Orange Board of Education, who serves as vice president of board services for the ECSBA, also supported the resolution.

“By denouncing book bans and establishing comprehensive guidelines, we create an educational environment that celebrates diversity, fosters empathy and prepares our students to be engaged citizens in an increasingly globalized world,” Johnson said.

Other support for the resolution came from:

Hasani Council (Newark Board of Education), ECSBA-Vice President of Legislation – “I am in full support of the resolution being submitted to the semiannual delegate assembly. Banning books is a form of censorship because it limits our ability to learn about history, about the differences in people, cultures, countries, etc. When we ban books, we limit creativity and the ability to engage in informed healthy debates. When we ban books, we essentially tell everyone to stop being curious.”

Kathryn Weller Demming (Montclair Board of Education), ECSBA - NJSBA Board of Directors Alternate – “We are so proud of our Essex County members for putting our children, their authentic identities, and access to information first. It is an honor to support our dedicated and highly educated librarians in this time as small factions attack their expert service.”

Benjamin Morse (Bloomfield Board of Education), ECSBA - NJSBA Board of Directors Delegate – “The quest for knowledge is eternal; what books our children can read should not be decided by the whims of a few. Read on, New Jersey.”

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