The statement below was read by Schools Committee co-chairs Jocelyn Ryan and Erin Siders during Public Speaks at the SOMSD Board of Education meeting on March 27th. The committee works for school and classroom integration and equity for all students. Thanks to the Village Green for reporting on this.

"If you ask South Orange-Maplewood residents why they moved here, one of the top reasons is always the diversity.

Celebrating diversity seems to be acceptable when talking about the various housing stock, houses of worship, or restaurant options.

But when we talk about diversity in our schools and making sure our school demographics reflect our community…we hear “yes, but…”. “I believe in integration, but my child needs to attend this particular school because…”

There is no room for “yes, but” when it comes to integration. Either you are 100% for it or you are 100% against it…period.

Some of the reasons stated are that it’s inconvenient, or that the cost of transportation has to go up to make it work. But if you’re against it for any reason, then you’re choosing segregation.

Brown v Board of Education was 71 years ago. Two years ago, a New Jersey Supreme Court judge found that the state has a duty to address de facto segregation in our schools. Before the Intentional Integration Initiative, we had two schools that were roughly 70% white, and one that was roughly 70% Black. That’s what happens when you have neighborhood schools. And it’s de facto segregation.

For 28 years, the Coalition on Race has been pushing for a truly equitable school district. We know that this work is hard. It’s messy, it’s complicated, it’s uncomfortable, it’s challenging.

But when you believe something is vital, important, necessary and VALUED – you have to be all in, even for the parts that are not easy.

We are all in. We hope that the District, the Board, and the community share our view that there is no point at which integration isn’t worth the fight.

For the sake of all our students, present and future, don’t dismantle this good work because it’s hard."

Jocelyn Ryan and Erin Siders, co-chairs of the Schools Committee