An important Hackensack Board of Education update.

Despite being condemned by several elected officials throughout the state, including Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, N.J. Senator Loretta Weinberg, and several more, Frances Cogelja, never resigned from the Hackensack Board of Education.

Cogelja keep her seat, and now she wants three more. She's currently backing a ticket for Board of Education. With mail-in ballots due in just a few days, her chosen candidates have been completely silent on issues of diversity and inclusion for all students and staff -- and why they've welcomed her support.

Cogelja's hateful words and feelings about the LGBTQ+ community provoked outrage. We have real concerns about the outsized impact she can have on our students should she gain more allies on the Board, especially as the implementation of the curriculum she described as "disgusting" and "repugnant" is about to be implemented statewide.

This isn't about politics. It's about all our students and staff feeling safe, welcome, accepted, and seen in our schools. Hate has no home in Hackensack.

By contrast, the other candidates in the race, the "Champions for Students" slate, have repeatedly committed to supporting the social and emotional needs of all students - including those in the LGBTQ+ community. They represent the diversity of our city in terms of race, gender, age, and sexual orientation.

If you or your friends and family live in Hackensack, please ask them to vote #1-2-3 and support "Champions for Students," because now more than ever, all our students need champions.

Additionally, please consider donating to their grassroots campaign. They are about $900 away from reaching their fundraising goal.

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.