Teaneck schools chief criticized for seeking outside help to teach 'global issues'

TEANECK — A proposal by Schools Superintendent Andre Spencer to partner with "outside organizations" to educate students on "global issues" has been met with fresh criticism from area political and religious leaders.

Spencer's Dec. 31 letter sent to Teaneck students and parents over the winter break proposed partnering with groups "such as" the Anti-Defamation League and the New Jersey chapter of the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) to develop webinars for use in schools.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer said Spencer's letter was brought to his attention by a group of residents after the December holidays, and he responded last Monday with a 2½-page statement questioning Spencer's proposal to consult CAIR-NJ, which he criticized as "openly antisemitic."

"While I support efforts to provide students with a variety of viewpoints, CAIR has openly praised the Hamas terrorists that brutally attacked Israel on Oct. 7," Gottheimer said in a letter to Spencer. "The organization should not be afforded a pulpit to prompt antisemitism and hatred as part of Teaneck's curriculum."

In a follow-up telephone conversation, Gottheimer suggested that an agency such as Interfaith America might be a more suitable group to consult on education materials addressing Muslim issues.

CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Dina Sayedahmed responded last Monday that the organization has "a strong record of standing against all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism."

"We have been on high alert since Oct. 7, representing Muslims in their workplaces as they experience retaliation and their academic institutions as they are faced with disciplinary actions simply for supporting Palestinians' internationally recognized right to freedom," Sayedahmed said.

Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, supported Gottheimer's criticism of consulting CAIR-NJ for student education.

"The superintendent and school board are clearly biased and tone-deaf to the needs of the student body," Shames said. "Including this organization in any effort to bring balance and understanding to the issues in Teaneck is fraught with hypocrisy and lacks sensitivity to Jewish students. Dr. Spencer’s failed leadership has led to the demise of the civil society at Teaneck High School and the larger community."

On Friday, Spencer posted a clarification on the district's website saying the district had "formed a partnership with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights: Division of Outreach and Community Relations: Safe Space For All."

"In addition we are using resources from 'Facing History & Ourselves' to promote greater dialogue and understanding of a diverse global society," Spencer's letter says.

Board of Education President Clara Williams, the Anti-Defamation League and Teaneck's Darul-Islah President Mazher Usmani did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Difficult year

It has been a challenging first year for Spencer, who came to the 3,720-student Teaneck school district last January from a superintendent post in Manor, Texas. He arrived amid a cloud of controversy over the tempestuous departure of Superintendent Christopher Irving in June 2022 and the contested insistence by the Board of Education that it hire his successor by December 2022.

Spencer's letter to students and parents after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack was criticized by some parents for being too neutral, failing to condemn the invasion and terrorism.

The district won praise for a youth talk on the attack organized by a Jewish and a Muslim high school student at the Ethical Culture Society in October. However, Spencer drew further criticism from Gottheimer and residents after a Nov. 29 high school student walkout in support of Palestinians.

STUDENT WALKOUT 'We will not remain silent': Teaneck HS students hold walkout in support of Palestine

Board of Education meetings have been fraught with competing demands to be heard, from the township's vocal Jewish and Muslim residents, and criticism that the board has been partial in its attempts to control the content and length of those comments.

Spencer had to handle the removal of high school Principal Pedro Valdes III just before Christmas to a special-assignment post, replacing him with Whittier Elementary School Principal Piero LoGiudice to oversee improving math and English scores for an estimated 38 seniors in danger of not graduating on time.

Last month, the U.S., Department of Education announced that it was adding Teaneck to a list of 44 school districts being investigated nationwide for possible civil rights violations, with three of those districts in New Jersey.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Teaneck NJ schools' plan to teach global issues is criticized