ARE NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE?

My name is Ethel Hermenau, and I am a resident of Galloway NJ, my opinions are as a mother, Grandmother and citizen of the United States of America. I am on the school board in Galloway, but I am not representing them in this article these opinions are mine and do not represent the Galloway school board or Liberty and Prosperity. 

New Jersey is experiencing significant activity, with numerous bills being enacted that impact our schools, students, and parents. It seems as though there is a deliberate agenda aimed at influencing the future of our children, granting increased authority to the State and educational institutions while diminishing the role of parents. Let us discuss one of the most recent pieces of legislation, Bill 4050; here is a brief summary of the accompanying letter.

On June 9^th the Family Policy Center sent a letter Senate Health Committee 221st Legislature Re: Concerning Senate bill 4050 Dear Senate Health Committee Members:

“We urge you to vote NO on Senate bill 4050 unless amendments are made to require parental notification. The New Jersey Family Policy Center opposes this bill based upon well-documented evidence that for teenagers facing mental health struggles and emotional disorders to have a successful outcome of treatment, more parental involvement is necessary – not less.

Senate bill 4050, Section 2 states: (New section) An operator of the New Jersey Suicide Hope line who receives and responds to a telephone call from a minor who is 16 years of age or older for counseling and support and the operator identifies as at a high risk of committing suicide shall place follow-up calls to the minor, as appropriate, without the necessity of obtaining parental consent or authorization pursuant to subsection b. of section 1 of P.L.1968, c.238 (C.9:17A-4). We are deeply concerned about instances where parents are not notified that their child has been classified as ‘high risk for committing suicide’ by a suicide hotline operator. While a follow-up phone call to anyone who contacts a suicide hotline seems like common sense, it raises questions when the individual is a minor living with their parent, yet the law does not require notifying the parent. Clearly, if a 16-year-old has been identified as ‘high risk for committing suicide’, shouldn’t the State prioritize notifying the parent, regardless of the minor’s wishes? After all, the parent, as the person living with the child, would be the first line of defense in ensuring their safety—such as removing access to weapons in the home or medications that could pose a risk.” See attached letter.

On July 14, 2025, the Galloway School Board convened. One of the policies scheduled for a vote was policy 5517 (refer to the attached policy).

5517 SCHOOL DISTRICT ISSUED STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS – The Board of Education recognizes school building security measures are important for the safety and welfare of all students, staff, parents, and community members in school buildings. In recognizing this important responsibility, the principal or designee may require students to carry a school district issued Identification Card. An Identification Card may be issued to all students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. If Identification Cards are issued, they shall have printed on the back the telephone number for the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline (NJ Hopeline) and contact information for a crisis text line pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-113.1. (please read policy)

Watch the video from the July 14th, 2025 school board meeting below (scroll down).

 I thank Dr. Pnina Mintz for coming out and asking pertinent questions and making some great statements as to the reason the schools have to implement this policy at all.   (watch video about 5 minutes – beginning of meeting she speaks).

The very first thing Dr. Mintz said was, this policy states it is for the Safety of the Students. Does that mean the students are not safe currently? So that is one question and another question is, the language in that policy suggests that it “May be implemented or not implemented, so if it is done for the safety of the students, why would it not be implemented? So, if it is really for the Safety of our children the language should be changed from maybe to shall or cancel the policy all together.  But what really struck me and hit home is when Dr. Mintz said, the other question I have is “The necessity to include a suicide hotline on their identification cards. That implies that the students are all suicidal, which means that all students have mental health issues. Coming from the Health care industry this is a False assumption and only rare cases do children commit suicide and by including the suicide hotline “hopeline” on something like their ID card, you are planting the suicidal ideation in the mind of the students. I caution the board to really review that policy very carefully and remove that clause in normalizing any kind of suicide in school practices or things such as ID Cards”

Watch the school board video below (July 14, 2025)  

https://www.youtube.com/live/9CzOmepIgk8

It is quite frustrating that, as a school board member, the agenda is only provided on Friday night prior to a meeting. This necessitates reviewing all materials over the weekend and determining what questions to ask or comments to make regarding a policy that is about to be implemented. The school board appears to have simply acquiesced to everything issued by the State without questioning or amending the policy.  You would have to watch videos to understand the various problems and issues we have encountered, which would likely have gone unaddressed had we not taken the initiative to get involved.

Policy 5517 is just one of many issues that have arisen, and I would assert that a pattern appears to be emerging! This pattern increasingly excludes parents from the equation, so what is the ultimate goal of the State here? I believe that most individuals are unaware that there is indeed a goal, and for those of us who perceive a sense of trepidation from those in positions of power, I can only express one sentiment: Danger, Danger! Once you begin to connect the dots, it becomes increasingly evident that there is an effort to undermine our children’s critical thinking skills and to indoctrinate them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWwOJlOI1nU

One of the most recent efforts to suppress our voices involved halting our comments at the conclusion of the meeting. I emphasized that we have the right to express our opinions as I stood up and proceeded to the public comment section approximately 35 minutes into the meeting. It is truly astonishing that I would need to take such action at all.

Prior to voicing my concerns regarding my rights as a Board member, I have come to realize that these rights are quite limited and challenging to exercise without a majority or the ability to be informed about most matters (essentially, I must investigate and uncover information on my own).  I know many School Board members across New Jersey who are trying to protect parental rights and children are in the same boat and we are not alone.

I am paraphrasing most of this from the meeting so please watch the full school board meeting:

The State and Schools want all your children!

Twenty-seven minutes into the meeting, Reny Fishman stood up to discuss her daycare, which she has operated for over 25 years in Galloway. She is facing the threat of being driven out of business with other daycares, predominantly owned by women, as the State is now seeking to take care of your children. Reny was informed by someone at Rutgers that the focus is shifting from ages 3 to 4 and eventually to infants. Hearing her narrative is truly heartbreaking. She is losing her once-thriving small business to the public school system or should we just say to the State!  Reny raised several important points. She stated, “I have a preschool in Galloway, and I am somewhat concerned about the three bills the Governor has proposed… By simply visiting the website, you will see that the schools are in debt and struggling to remain operational; some schools, like those in Toms River, are facing closures, layoffs of teachers, and cuts to electives. I do not understand why, if all of this is happening, there is a need to hire preschool teachers when we already have preschools available.” Reny will continue to address the current reality she faces due to the State of New Jersey effectively taking her business away from her and others. There was a response to her, (since I first wrote this, I am making a change to my response because I really didn’t articulate the bottom line in regard to the issue), the District and Superintendent do not have any authority to change it because you as a citizen and tax payer would have to go to the Trenton and speak to your Legislators who voted it in. The school board has no control over this issue.    There exists a separate fund allocated for this purpose. Therefore, the State has additional funds available to distribute to schools at their discretion, despite the schools being in financial deficit. It doesn’t seem fair to taxpayers when our taxes are raised every year and over 60% of our taxes go to the schools. 

After Reny, the doctor rises once more before me and delivers another remarkable speech…. It is essential to view this School Board meeting. She notes that “It is appropriate that today is Bastille Day, commemorating the onset of the French Revolution aimed at achieving Freedom from the oppressive French Rulers in 1787. Now, 263 years later, the brave members of the Galloway Board of Education can initiate the revolution to liberate Galloway students from oppressive government regulations and NJEA political Fiats.

 Unfortunately, many existing school policies contravene the US Constitution, US Federal laws, antidiscrimination statutes, individual liberties, free speech, and parental rights. It is time to conclude the war on children and liberate them from psychological, emotional, and other forms of manipulation masquerading as innovative educational methods. I urge the Board members to harness your courage and abolish these policies, reverting to a strict traditional academic education. Being progressive… please view the video; Dr. Pnina Mintz appears approximately 32 minutes into the video delivering this speech.

These are merely some highlights from the meeting on July 14, 2025, and numerous meetings have occurred with many statements made that the public must hear to comprehend the direction our State and schools are taking.

One last thing in a recent article NJ.Com a survey was done ranking NJ 43 in the Nation. Time to focus on Academics and not social experiments.

https://www.nj.com/education/2025/02/nj-schools-rank-among-worst-in-us-in-key-area-as-kids-recover-from-covid-slide.html

We are united in this endeavor, and it is not solely Ginny Larrea and me, but numerous others on School Boards who are engaged in the same struggle, advocating for you, your children, and your grandchildren. Increased support is essential. No matter your location, you can effect change; begin by participating in school board meetings but also familiarize yourself with the policies and get involved. Together, we will reclaim this State, and in November, let us vote for Jack Ciattarelli for Governor, who will undoubtedly rectify this situation, restore power to the people, and apply common sense. Let us work towards making New Jersey great again!