Based upon results through November 10, 2023, the New Jersey Public Education Coalition (NJPEC) and SWEEP NJ have determined that 61% of school board candidates on their “like-minded” candidate list have been elected to their district Board of Education. All of the winning candidates were in contested races. Candidates were added to the “like-minded” candidate list after they were vetted and determined to have the same goals as both NJPEC and SWEEP NJ.

These goals include:
1) The preservation of diversity and inclusion in our public schools.
2) Ensuring that public schools are a safe place for our children free from harassment, intimidation, bullying and discrimination.
3) Preventing the censorship, removal or banning of books and textbooks based upon any political or religious agenda.
4) Preserving the right to read and the rights of parents to choose what books their children will read and having these books available in public school libraries.
5) Protecting the rights, freedoms and liberties of parents to have their children taught curriculums that provide health, wellness and safety.
6) Preserving the freedoms of teachers to express their opinions in classrooms so that children will learn critical thinking skills.
7) Barring the use of miniature hidden cameras in the classroom which invade and violate the privacy rights of minors.
8) Preserving the rights and freedoms of members of marginalized communities such as the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.
9) Ensuring that our public schools provide an equitable education so that each student’s education is designed for their particular needs and gives them the opportunity to succeed.

“Like-minded” candidates were elected in some high profile districts where extremist Boards of Education had seized control such as Sparta (Sussex), Westwood (Bergen), Hamilton (Mercer County) and Marlboro (Monmouth).

NJPEC and SWEEP NJ are grassroots organizations that will continue to engage parents/residents and provide them with education on the public school space so that they may distinguish the disinformation and lies from the truth.