Dem governor slams school district in his state for banning Halloween events to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) mocked a Garden State school district on Tuesday for forbidding Halloween celebrations to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

On Oct. 6, Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, superintendent of the South Orange-Maplewood School District, informed parents that Halloween celebrations at schools would not take place this year.

The reasoning? Taylor suggested in a letter to parents that school-sponsored Halloween activities could create "indirect and unintentional financial hardships for students and families," could "violate the dignity of some of our students and families, either culturally or religiously," and may run afoul of the district's DEI commitment.

"As you know, [SOMSD] is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion meaningfully — not just saying the words but also promoting an inclusive school community that creates belonging for all students, families, and staff," Taylor wrote in the letter.

In another letter, the district's assistant superintendent of access and equity, Dr. Kevin Gilbert, explained why the decision was allegedly necessary. Gilbert said:

All of us realize that this breaks with what the District has usually done, and that can be a difficult thing to do sometimes. Often, working to instill greater equity in our district begins with recognizing that we cannot do what we have always done. But with this decision, we are taking a step closer to upholding our community’s access and equity values.

The decision to forbid Halloween events and costumes at school went too far for even Murphy, who is by all accounts a progressive Democrat.

"Seriously? We can't let kids celebrate Halloween? Give me a break," he reacted.

In statements to media outlets, the school district has emphasized that officials did not cancel Halloween celebrations per se but banned school-sponsored Halloween events from taking place during school hours.

SOMSD schools can partner with outside organizations to host Halloween events outside of school hours.

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