Controversy Erupts Over English Curriculum At Ramapo Indian Hills

WYCKOFF, NJ — Controversy over proposed English curriculum for the 2022-23 school year for the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District dominated the Aug. 30 school board meeting public comment period, as some parents even sparred over whether the learning materials are too "dark and depressing" or an attempt to "indoctrinate" students.

"To me, it seems the entire curriculum is just a social justice class disguised as English," one Oakland resident said. "I see nothing but doom and gloom among every single book."

In fact, the view that the curriculum seemed "dark" was also held by school board member Judith Sullivan, who voted against the proposed curriculum.

"I had a child go through the English class and explain to me that it was a depressing course to take," Sullivan said.

She and Marianna Emmolo were the only two members to vote 'No.'

Sullivan, however, noted that her vote had more to do with the fact that she had trouble reviewing the curriculum materials on the website prior to the vote and was not, she claimed, provided access to parent feedback forms on curriculum, and less to do with reasons mentioned by parents in the public comment period.

She was not alone in her alleged difficulty in viewing curriculum materials; one Franklin Lakes resident said that she could not access many of the files and that a lot of the links did not work.

She also, in a similar fashion to the Oakland resident, said the English curriculum "sounds like CRT (critical race theory)," and contributes to an "environment of intolerance."

Superintendent Rui Dionisio responded to the claim, stating that he disagrees with any suggestion that the school district teaches critical race theory and with disapproval of the literatures being used. He also noted later that he received fewer than 10 parent feedback forms in total.

"I believe the curriculum is well-balanced and appropriate," Dionisio said. "I am very proud of the work that has taken place within the English curriculum as of late, and I am proud of the balance that has existed prior to this year."

Dionisio's support of the curriculum was shared by two Oakland residents who spoke during the comment period and whose remarks were both met with applause from the audience.

"(This curriculum) stands for truth and not some biased form of reality," one resident said. "It is very dangerous to ban any part of our history or our literature that makes us feel uncomfortable or erases our mistakes.

The aforementioned Oakland resident, who said she sees "doom and gloom" among every book being used, specifically referenced "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," both of which are books that have been challenged and banned in public school districts across the country.

"We just emerged from a pandemic, and kids are struggling with mental health, and then they go to English class and read this. It is very disturbing," she said. "The content as presented in the curriculum should not be approved tonight by the board."

But still, it was, with two dissenting votes.

"This is not indoctrination, not a leftist agenda," the previously mentioned Oakland resident in support said. "You cannot close your eyes and ban literature and the history it is based on because it is ugly and devastating."

The other Oakland resident in support said that, in fact, the conflicts in the stories, many would argue, would actually have a "constructive, positive impact" on students' mental health, in that they offer relatable narratives in exploring social issues.

"Many of us," she said, "grew up reading not quite feel-good books — books we enjoyed and agreed with and books we did not enjoy and did not agree with, all with the same goal in mind to help us learn and to think critically."