New Jersey high school teachers are investigated after 'making homophobic comments about colleague on Zoom'
Two teachers in Bergen County, New Jersey are being probed after allegedly making homophobic remarks about a colleague in the chat section of a Zoom class on Wednesday.
The incident involved educators at Dumont High School, though the teachers' identities have not yet been revealed.
A screenshot of the exchange was posted on Twitter, showing the homophobic remarks in the Zoom chat.
One teachers appears to write, 'Why is that kid with the gay gym teacher?'
Another responds, 'Is that her adopted kid? Who is gonna be all f----d up growing up watching 2 chicks kissing and calling them both mom.'
A screenshot posted on Twitter shows the homophobic remarks being made by multiple teachers on a Zoom chat on Wednesday
Dumont High School in New Jersey is grappling with a homophobic incident involving at least two of their teachers
Prior to those comments, a screenshot shows previous messages that also seem to make light of the referenced teacher's sexual orientation.
According to NJ.com, the chat was seen during a Zoom class, though it wasn't clear who took the screenshot of the chat and whether or not students were able to see it.
'These homophobic comments do not reflect our community’s values, nor do they represent our beliefs in the Borough of Dumont,' Mayor Andrew LaBruno posted on Facebook.
'We are an inclusive and welcoming community.'
Mayor LaBruno called on district superintendent Emanuele Triggiano to launch an investigation into the matter.
Andrew LaBruno, the mayor of Dumont, has called for an investigation into the matter
Mayor LaBruno also announced that changes would be made to the town's Celebrations committee in light of the homophobic comments
'While there is still much work to be done fighting against inequalities and standing up for human rights, our educators mold our children’s minds, and these comments have no place in our education system,' LaBruno said.
On Saturday, Mayor LaBruno also posted on Facebook that he 'will be presenting enhancements to our Celebrations committee, strengthening the committee's priorities to reflect significant values in our community.'
The Bergenfield Daily Voice reports an alumnus of Dumont High School, Matthew DeMarco, started a petition on Change.org calling for the teachers' ousters.
The petition aimed for 5,000 signees. As of Saturday evening, over 3,900 had signed off on the petition.
New Jersey is currently allowing both remote and in-person education as coronavirus cases rise across the country.
Dumont High School has cohort schedules for the month posted on their website and appear to be operating with a mix of in-person and remote learning.