Murphy calls for Fornaro’s resignation

Gov. Phil Murphy called for the resignation of New Jersey Board of Education member Jack Fornaro.

“My administration is committed to fostering a learning environment where all students are welcome. I will not support comments during school board meetings that fly in the face of New Jersey’s values,” Murphy said. “In light of Mr. Fornaro’s comments, I urge him to resign. Bias cannot be tolerated.”

During a recent meeting of the board, Fornaro implied that Paterson did not teach American history because of the large number of Latinx students in the city and suggested he did not expect those students to pass American history courses.

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, and State Sen. Nellie Pou, who represents Paterson, asked New Jersey Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet to investigate Fornaro’s statements on Wednesday.