Holzapfel plans to oppose bill requiring diversity education in schools

State Sen. James Holzapfel (R-Toms River) announced his intent to vote against a bill that would require schools to incorporate diversity and inclusion into curriculums for students beginning in kindergarten.

“This bill has nothing to do with anti-bullying policies but rather imposing a belief system on children who are too young to even understand the complexities of these lifestyles,” Holzapfel said. “Teaching students about diversity is one thing, but to bring these lessons into a classroom full of 5- and 6-year-olds is ridiculous.”

The bill requires schools create a unit on diversity and inclusion that covers economic disparities, gender and sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and religious tolerance, among other things, and how unconscious biases affect individuals and society generally.

The Republican senator’s opposition is unlikely to meaningfully affect the bill.

Holzapfel’s Assembly running mates, Assemblymen Greg McGuckin (R-Toms River) and John Catalano (R-Brick), voted against the bill when it came before their chamber in October. They were two of just 10 Republicans in the chamber who did so.

Another 10 Assembly Republicans abstained.

“Democrats are delusional to believe that forcing this curriculum onto children will have a profound impact and magically end bullying and harassment in schools,” Holzapfel said. “These are very sensitive topics which should be addressed by parents and not schools.”