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NJPEC Raises Concerns Over Colts Neck “History Rock” Assembly, Outside Political Organizations, and the Exclusion of Parents

COLTS NECK, NJ — Today, we at the New Jersey Public Education Coalition are issuing this statement regarding the “History Rock” assembly held at Cedar Road Middle School and the disturbing decision by the Colts Neck Board of Education to bar parents from both a publicly noticed special Board meeting this morning and from the assembly itself.

First and foremost, despite allegations to the contrary, we want to make clear that we had no objection whatsoever to the appearance or participation of New Jersey Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Our concerns were never about the Secretary’s presence.

Our objection is directed at the involvement of outside political advocacy groups, including Turning Point USA, which participated in or supported aspects of today’s program. We view this involvement as part of a growing national effort to introduce political and religious ideology into public school programming under the banner of civics education.

We Are Concerned About National-Level Ideological Efforts

We believe today’s assembly reflects a broader national agenda connected to the America 250 Civics initiative, which is being shaped by 41 right-wing and evangelical organizations. These groups are working to influence what students learn about civics, history, and government in ways that we consider ideologically driven and inappropriate for public schools.

Parents Were Barred From a Public Meeting and the Assembly

Parents in Colts Neck received only three days’ notice that this mandatory assembly would take place — even though every student in the school was required to attend, making the event unquestionably curricular.

Despite this, parents were:

We find both actions unacceptable and inconsistent with New Jersey’s standards of transparency and public accountability.

The Board’s Actions Contradict Its Own Parental Bill of Rights Policy

Just two and a half weeks ago, the Colts Neck Board of Education passed a Parental Bill of Rights that explicitly guarantees parents transparency in curriculum and school-based programming.

We cannot reconcile the Board’s stated commitment to parental transparency with its decision today to exclude parents from both the meeting and the assembly.

This assembly—mandatory, instructional, and delivered to every child—is curriculum. Preventing parents from observing it directly contradicts the policy the Board just adopted.

We Want Answers

Today’s events demand an explanation.

“How does the Colts Neck Board of Education justify refusing parents access to a public meeting and to a school-wide curricular assembly mere days after promising them full transparency? Parents deserve to know why the Board is saying one thing and doing another.”

We reaffirm our commitment to protecting nonpartisan, inclusive public education and ensuring that outside political groups do not use New Jersey’s public schools to advance their ideological agendas.

About Us

We, the New Jersey Public Education Coalition (NJPEC), are a nonpartisan, statewide organization dedicated to protecting public education, defending students’ rights, and ensuring transparency, accountability, and equity in New Jersey’s schools.

COLTS NECK — A visit by U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the America 250 Civics Coalition "History Rocks" initiative on Friday is not being welcomed by everyone.

The initiative, launched in September, plans visits to schools in all 50 states with New Jersey represented by the Cedar Drive Middle School in Colts Neck. It is dedicated to "renewing patriotism, strengthening civic knowledge, and advancing a shared understanding of America’s founding principles in schools across the nation" in anticipation of the country's 250th anniversary in 2026.

Forty organizations are involved with the initiative, including the Charlie Kirk-founded Turning Point USA, religious conservative Hillsdale College and the conservative America First Policy Institute. This is one of the first presentations so it's not clear what will be included.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent MaryJane Garibay said the district was honored by its selection and credited BOE president Angelique Volpe for reaching out to the federal agency early to get the visit. The visit includes a whole-school assembly, a guided tour of the school that includes classroom visits, and a small-group roundtable discussion with select students, teachers, and administrators.

Parent backlash grows in Colts Neck

An online petition titled "keep propaganda out of our schools" is collecting signatures objecting to the visit. The organizer's name or group is not disclosed on the form.

"Public schools are supposed to be ideologically neutral. Organizations pushing a specific political or religious agenda have no business designing civics curriculum for our kids," the petition states.

A post on Facebook suggested parents who object to the visit utitlize the BOE's newly passed "parental bill of rights" in requesting copies of the materials that will be presented and permission to record and attend the event. The organization that authored the letter was also not disclosed.

Garden State Equality said that the involvement of conservative groups show it is a "radically partisan" event. The group was critical of the five-day notice about the visit given to parents.

“We know that Secretary McMahon, someone who is in lockstep with President Trump, and the organizations on this tour want the American story to be free of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, immigrants, disabled people, and anyone who is different,” Deputy Director Brielle Winslow-Majette said in a statement. “They want to teach that the only Black history was slavery; they want to ignore the contributions of Latine communities; and they want to perpetuate the genocide of Indigenous people by continuing to relegate them to a past-tense, conquered people. Diverse classrooms call for diversified history. Diversified perspectives and stories save lives.”

Garibay on Thursday morning did not respond to New Jersey 101.5's request for comment about the objections to the visit.

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The visit is one of the first stops on Secretary McMahon’s “History Rocks!” Tour, a 50-state “civics” tour to coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary. In her letter, Superintendent Garibay called “History Rocks!” a “meaningful, nonpartisan initiative.”

However, with partnerships like the America First Policy Institute, who is “leading the fight against radical gender ideology,” and pushing for the censorship of LGBTQ+ history in schools; Hillsdale College, a higher education institution that urged for the destruction of same-sex marriage; and Turning Point USA, it is clear that this visit is radically partisan.

The superintendent’s letter gave parents a mere 72 hours notice of the assembly, which directly contradicts the rights Colts Neck Township Schools families now have under the recently passed “Parental Bill of Rights.”

The policy states parents have the right to be informed in advance about any guest speakers, presentations, or school assemblies, especially those addressing health, sexuality, or other sensitive topics.

They may request information about the qualifications of teachers and guest presenters who interact with students. The Board is committed to full transparency so that parents can understand what is being taught and can meaningfully engage in their child’s learning process.

Three days is not sufficient enough notice for such a polarizing engagement as this.

“It is outrageous that Dr. Garibay expects the Cedar Drive Middle School community, and the community at-large, to believe that ‘History Rocks’ is a ‘non-partisan initiative,’ said Justine Evyn Saliski, Senior Director of Education & Youth Development. “Cedar Drive LGBTQ+ middle school students deserve better than this. It is unethical and dangerous to bring such hate-fueled representatives into a public education building. It is just as unethical and dangerous to present this assembly as a non-partisan and enriching learning experience. Secretary McMahon may not have the educational pedagogy that is needed to understand the consequences of her actions, but we do. Your radical ideology is not now, nor will it ever be welcome in our New Jersey schools.”

In the words of Secretary McMahon, she looks “forward to highlighting excellence in patriotic education” on the tour. As the organization that spearheaded the passing of New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ and Disabled inclusive curriculum law, we know that far too often phrases like “patriotic education” are code for wanting to teach white-washed, sanitized, and bigoted versions of history.

“We know that Secretary McMahon, someone who is in lockstep with President Trump, and the organizations on this tour want the American story to be free of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, immigrants, disabled people, and anyone who is different,” said Brielle Winslow-Majette, Deputy Director. “They want to teach that the only Black history was slavery; they want to ignore the contributions of Latine communities; and they want to perpetuate the genocide of Indigenous people by continuing to relegate them to a past-tense, conquered people. Diverse classrooms call for diversified history. Diversified perspectives and stories save lives.”

We demand that the Education Department stop using taxpayer dollars to promote propaganda and bigotry in our classrooms. Furthermore, we are calling on Colts Neck Township Schools to cancel the “History Rocks!” event and apologize to the families of Cedar Drive students for inviting Secretary McMahon and Turning Point USA’s division and prejudice into their school.

Garden State Equality, the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in New Jersey, lifts up the diverse voices of LGBTQ+ communities through education, advocacy, and wellness to advance the movement for equality in New Jersey and nationally.

The civics tour is backed by conservative groups, including Turning Point USA

COLTS NECK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A visit from U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is stirring backlash in New Jersey Thursday night.

Cedar Drive Middle School in Colts Neck is among the first stops on McMahon's 50-state civics tour backed by conservative groups.

It's a partnership some families say brings politics and religion into a public-school setting.

A letter went out to Colts Neck parents on Tuesday, just three days before Friday's assembly featuring McMahon, and the History Rocks Tour, a program designed by America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and other organizations all considered strongly conservative.

Some people in Colts Neck are very concerned.

"I was shocked. I immediately, upon reading the notice that went out to families, it claims to be non-partisan. None of the organizations that are supporting this initiative for the federal government are non-partisan," said Colts Neck resident Alison Denoia.

Michael Gottesman is the founder of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition.

"We expect it's going to have political and religious ideology, and when a group like Turning Point USA is leading the charge and is going to be the presenter at this assembly, we have concerns that based on their past history, that this should not be in public schools," Gottesman said.

The letter to parents say the assembly was arranged by Board of Education President Angelique Volpe.

Eyewitness News reached out to Volpe for comment, but got no reply.

The letter to parents calls the program, "a meaningful, non-partisan initiative designed to inspire students' interest in U.S. history and civic responsibility."

Danielle Alpaugh says her middle schooler will be absent on Friday.

"What I deem to be a very political organization is coming in and giving a school-wide assembly, and so he's not going to school, and so we are going to try and do something that's educational and relevant to the -- like a civics lesson," she said.

Eyewitness News also received an email from another group of parents writing anonymously, saying the lessons are extremely conservative, biased, and have no business in a public school. They called the invitation a gross overstep of the Board of Education, and it does not align with many families' values.

"They are all aligned with an extreme ideology and an extreme agenda," Denoia said.

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The board says the bill strengthens the relationship between the district and families. Advocates say it could endanger LGBTQ+ kids.

Editor’s Note: This article mentions topics of suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.

Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24 hours a day. To access a 24/7 suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, you can click here.

COLTS NECK, NJ — The Colts Neck Township Board of Education adopted a Parental Bill of Rights at a recent board meeting, despite concerns raised by community members and LGBTQ+ advocates over the bill.

The Parental Bill of Rights, which was adopted at the board’s Nov. 19 meeting, outlines various rights that parents have when it comes to the curriculum that their students are being taught, as well as student health services, privacy, and parental input.

Though the board said the bill strengthens the relationship between Colts Neck schools and student families, and brings some of the district's existing policies together into one document, the measure drew criticism from community members and local advocacy organizations, who raised concerns over parts of the bill, such as:

At the board meeting, advocates and county residents argued that adopting the bill could lead to Colts Neck’s LGBTQ+ students being outed to their families without their consent, placing them in what could be a potentially dangerous or hostile home situation.

Larissa Garcia, a community organizer with the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Garden State Equality, offered testimony at the meeting on behalf of Lauren Albrecht, the organization's senior director of advocacy and organizing.

In her statement, Albrecht said she regularly fields calls from families in the Colts Neck School District who are concerned by the board’s actions, and questioned what the board’s endgame is by adopting the Parental Bill of Rights, and what message they are sending to LGBTQ+ students and staff.

“The proposed policy acknowledges that schools must follow New Jersey state law,” Albrecht said. “So why introduce a policy that skirts the edges of laws that cannot be broken without penalty, and creates gray areas for school staff who know the law, but may feel pressured by the introduction of this policy by what is essentially their governing body to adhere to this?”

“...Parents have always had rights. That has not changed nor been altered,” Albrecht continued. “And LGBTQ students have the right to be safe and supported at school so that they can focus on learning and just being kids. Just because you can introduce a policy like this — and you can, because the law still stands — absolutely does not mean you should.”

Jacqueline Sophia London, a transgender actress from Keyport, also spoke out at the meeting against the bill and urged the district to consider how it could negatively impact students.

“I lived in fear my entire life of coming out as transgender,” London said. “It wasn't until the age of 35 that I finally had the courage to do it after multiple suicide attempts, including shooting myself."

"It is the younger generation and their bravery to come out and be themselves and to see people in schools and their peers accepting that — that's what gave me the courage to come out and be myself," London continued.

London went on to say that she feels she owes it to kids in school today to fight for them, and that by supporting the Parental Bill of Rights, the board is taking something away from students and could be hurting them.

“I know that all of you parents think that your kids would come out to you and they would tell you what’s going on, but if they really felt comfortable, they would,” London said. “The problem is, so many don’t.”

By adopting the Parental Bill of Rights, London said the board and supporters of the bill are sending a message to students that it’s not safe for them to come out, and that schools need to take care of and protect students’ mental health.

“I urge all of you not to pass this,” London said. “We don’t need kids in graves. We need kids graduating from your schools.”

While many spoke at the board meeting in opposition to the Parental Bill of Rights, some attendees also spoke in support of the bill and argued that it encourages transparency between the district and student families.

Shawn Highland, the director of advocacy at the New Jersey Family Policy Center, thanked the board for introducing the Parental Bill of Rights, which he described as “a common-sense policy.”

Highland went on to say that the bill doesn’t create rights for parents, but rather recognizes and organizes rights already protected under existing federal law.

He added that parents in Colts Neck want what’s best for their children, and argued that school policies “should reflect that reality.”

“Parents are not only taxpayers, they are primary stakeholders in public education,” Highland said. “They nurture, protect and guide their children every day, and they deserve transparency.”

Valentina Mendez, a current member of the Marlboro Township Board of Education, also spoke in support of the bill in her capacity as a parent (not on behalf of the board), and said the bill’s rights create “a clear and respectful framework that protects children, empowers families, and strengthens the bond between home and school.”

“What I appreciate most about what is being presented is that it’s not about politics,” Mendez said. “It’s about restoring trust, strengthening communication, and ensuring that parents and schools work together.”

Following the public comment portion of the meeting, Colts Neck Board of Education President Angelique Volpe thanked attendees for taking the time to speak and said the board has heard and respects the viewpoints shared.

By adopting the Parental Bill of Rights, Volpe went on to say that the board has made its position “unmistakably clear,” and that parental rights will remain at the forefront of every decision they make.

“Parents are the primary authority in their children’s education, and this district will never sideline that role,” Volpe said. “Every child in Colts Neck will be protected, respected, and treated equally without exception. And we will not permit any sexual content, ideology, or identity to take priority over the rights of our families or the educational mission of our schools.”

“No group’s sexuality will override the values or rights of others. Period,” Volpe continued. “This board stands firm, united and unwavering. Our commitment to academic excellence, child safety, and parental authority is absolute, and we will defend these principles without hesitation.”

Now that the Parental Bill of Rights has been adopted, the bill will take effect immediately and guide the development and implementation of all district policies and practices regarding parent involvement and student welfare, according to the bill.

To read the full Parental Bill of Rights, you can click here. To watch a full recording of the Nov. 19 meeting, you can watch here.