As a concerned resident of Maplewood, NJ, I am deeply troubled by the current state of affairs in our school district and a troubling incident which occurred at a BOE meeting on November 3, 2023.  During this meeting a local parent, [Redacted], threatened Rocio Lopez, a school teacher and also the head of the local teacher's union without cause.   [Redacted] stated to Rocio as she went to the podium "Interrupt me and see what happens".  Ms. Lopez is a long-serving teacher in the district with an excellent reputation and also happens to be an immigrant and member of the LGBT community.  At no point during or after this interaction, did the School Board stop the proceedings or engage outside law enforcement to question [Redacted] regarding [Redacted] hostile and aggressive threat.   After [Redacted] was forced to stop speaking by the gavel, [Redacted] continued to rant against the teacher and [Redacted] peers in attendance, acting in a provocative and hostile manner meant to bully the teachers.  

Our teachers are facing threats and intimidation when they choose to voice their concerns at school board meetings. This is not only an attack on their freedom of speech but also a threat to their personal safety.

The South Orange-Maplewood School District (SOMSD) must take immediate action to protect these educators from any form of retaliation or aggression from parents or other attendees. It is essential for our teachers to be able to express themselves openly and transparently without fear.

In 2018, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 9.7% of public school teachers were threatened with injury by students during the academic year (NCES). While this statistic pertains specifically to student behavior, it underscores the broader issue - educators should not feel threatened in their workplace.

We propose that if anyone violates this policy by threatening a teacher during a meeting, they should be banned from entering school property. Furthermore, local law enforcement should investigate these incidents for potential criminal charges.

By signing this petition, you are supporting our educators' right to speak freely without fear of retaliation or harm. We urge SOMSD and local authorities in Maplewood, NJ, USA to take immediate action on this matter. Please sign and show your support for our brave teachers who dare speak out against injustice.