Hackensack BOE Trustee Frances Cogelja released the following statement:

As a mother of two children, one of whom is a seventh grade girl at the middle school, the intention of my email to Acting Superintendent Marks was to explore what my options were as it pertains to a curriculum topic that I feel would require for my husband and I to first discuss at home.  I understand now that my remarks can be seen in a different and more troubling light. It was never my intention to disparage any person who has a different sexual orientation from my own.

I apologize to anyone who was hurt or offended. I am not a career politician, but rather a concerned mother who ran for office last year to improve Hackensack Public Schools. Moving forward I will consider the impact of my words more carefully.

I have learned from my mistake as well.

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