Independent Counsel To Probe East Brunswick Yearbook Controversy

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The East Brunswick Board of Education recently approved the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate the yearbook mishap.

The 2024 edition of the high school yearbook has a picture of Muslim students replacing the original photo of Jewish students who are part of the Jewish Students Union Club. The names of Jewish students are also missing.

The incident was brought to light by Mayor Brad Cohen who put out a media release.

After speaking with Board Counsel, the district administration decided to initiate a special counsel investigation and bring in an outside investigator.

Speaking during the meeting, Superintendent Victor Valeski said an initial investigation was conducted when the matter was brought to them, and the administration concluded “at the minimum it was a gross lack oversight. We acknowledge it is unacceptable”

“I want to assure everyone that we have taken the commentary, the passion, the anger seriously. This should have never happened and we have to have safeguards in place to ensure this never happens again,” Valeski said.

All students and parents were urged to return the yearbook to have the old club page removed and a new page professionally inserted.

During Thursday’s meeting, the community criticized the district administration for their handling of the issue.

Student Abigail A. recalled the various antisemitic incidents directed towards her in the hallways.

“The point of me standing here is not demanding attention or sympathy but to convey a message that has been blurred, lost and overlooked,” the student said.

Our school is one of the most diverse institutions I’ve ever seen and that’s the beauty of it. Everyone of every color, sexuality, gender, race, and background is protected and respected, but from the latest action, this clearly doesn’t apply to the Jewish student body.”

High school student, Hasan S., who is also the co-president told the Muslim Student’s Association (MSA) told the Board students faced Islamophobia and were called “Hamas” after the incident by some community members. He pointed out that members of the MSA had to bear the brunt of the controversy.

“All the students in that photo were minors. As it was getting spread around on social media and national news, nobody cared for the safety of those minors,” Hasan said.

He expressed disappointment at the school district and BOE for failing to protect the students and stop the spread of the photo.

“To automatically assume that we, the MSA, would do this intentionally, in an act of antisemitism, is disgusting. It shows the ill intentions that are there,” Hasan said. “You guys are calling us Hamas sympathizers, we’ve been exposed to Islamophobia and further harassment because of a lack of authority on your end and because of a lack of care by our classmate for our safety and the lack of care by parents who didn’t care about these children's safety.”

Meanwhile, many parents and community members went on the blame the board for the poor handling of the issue.

Board President Lauri Lachs said she was “heartbroken” to hear about what the students had to face.

“We did not create this problem... I’m not telling you this was handled perfectly and we have to learn from our mistakes,” Lachs said.

"I’m incredibly sorry for what’s going on, for these children. And I'm devastated to hear some of the things that have gone on in the high school... In my heart of hearts, I don’t believe this is antisemitism. And that’s the reason that the call for the outside investigator is because no matter what we say, we’re accused of keeping secrets, of having transparency issues, but the reality is there’s a very fine line between transparency and confidentiality.”

Lachs also went on to say that some parents and Mayor Brad Cohen inflamed the situation before the investigation was complete.

On Friday, Cohen released a statement saying he was happy to learn an independent investigation was underway, but said the community missed a “teaching opportunity.”

“In my statement this week, I called for a swift and effective investigation into the matter. In no way was I ever implying that I have determined blame or intentionality. I am very happy to know that the Board of Education plans to employ an independent counsel to conduct the investigation. Once it is completed, I urge the Board to proceed quickly in making its findings public,” Cohen said.

“Additionally, we learned last night at the Board of Education meeting, that there have been years of deep-seated pain felt by Muslim and Jewish students due to acts of Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia that was reported and dismissed. If we are truly the community I spoke about at the top of this statement, then this must be addressed immediately. The most recent notice from the Superintendent indicates this is exactly what the Board intends to do. In the meantime, we should all take a step back and turn down the heat.”

To watch the entire board of education meeting, click here.

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