Community Coalition on Race sponsors BOE candidates forum

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Schools Committee of the South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is presenting its ninth annual candidates forum for the Board of Education on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in the South Orange Middle School Library, 70 North Ridgewood Road in South Orange.

This candidates forum is an opportunity for the candidates to offer their positions on vital issues for the two towns and their schools, including the new access and equity policies, the continuing minority achievement gap, and how to create true integration in the schools.

The Schools Committee of the Coalition on Race will present a series of questions for the candidates to consider concerning the relationship between school policies and integration in the schools. These questions will center on student academic placement, support for students who have chosen to level up or select Advanced Placement classes, the recruiting and retention of a racially and culturally diverse teaching staff, the racial minority academic achievement gap, and about ways to provide professional development for teachers, particularly in cultural competency and anti-bias education.

As in the past, there will be direct questions from the audience. Audience members will be given an index card to write down the question and then, if time permits, ask the question of the candidates.