Democratic New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has criticized a school district in his state for canceling official Halloween celebrations in order to promote equity and inclusion. The South Orange & Maplewood School District (SOMSD) made the decision to end school-sponsored Halloween celebrations during school hours to respect the cultural and religious backgrounds of its diverse student population. Superintendent Dr. Ronald G. Taylor explained in a letter to parents that the district wanted to be consistent with its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The decision to cancel Halloween celebrations during school hours was based on several questions posed by Taylor. These included whether promoting school-sponsored Halloween activities inadvertently caused financial hardships for students and families, whether it violated the dignity of certain students and families, and whether it conflicted with the equity and access values of the district. After taking feedback from school leaders into consideration, the district decided to ban official Halloween celebrations during school hours and replace them with Fall/Harvest festivals that could be held during school hours instead.

The decision has received mixed reactions. Governor Murphy took to social media to express his disbelief, saying, "Seriously? We can't let kids celebrate Halloween? Give me a break." He mocked the district's decision to cancel Halloween celebrations, implying that it was unnecessary and excessive. However, the district defended its decision, stating that Halloween was not canceled but was simply banned from school hours. Students could still participate in Halloween-themed events organized by PTAs, HSAs, or other outside organizations after school hours.

In response to the criticism, Superintendent Taylor acknowledged that the decision might make some people uncomfortable but emphasized that it aligned with the district's commitment to equity, inclusion, and building a sense of belonging. The district believes that by canceling official Halloween celebrations during school hours, it is taking a step closer to upholding its community's access and equity values.

The governor's office declined to comment further on the matter, and the district reiterated that Halloween was not canceled but was banned from school hours. The controversy surrounding the cancellation of Halloween celebrations highlights the ongoing debate over the balance between cultural sensitivity and traditional celebrations in educational settings.