New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is saying “boo” to a school district’s decision to nix in-school Halloween celebrations.

The South Orange-Maplewood district informed parents earlier this month that activities related to the spooky holiday won’t be allowed during school hours because of concerns about equity, including families who can’t afford to celebrate or don’t celebrate because of religious or cultural reasons.

The policy includes barring students from wearing costumes but does not prevent after-school festivities.

While the decision has drawn a mixed reaction among parents, Murphy took to social media to voice his disapproval.

“Seriously? We can’t let kids celebrate Halloween? Give me a break,” New Jersey’s governor wrote Monday on X, the site formerly known as Twitter

New Jersey’s typically feisty X account amplified Murphy’s stance Tuesday:

To some, it was a surprise take from Murphy, an openly progressive Democrat who often speaks about the need for equity and inclusion.

Others noted it comes two weeks before a critical election in which all 120 seats in the Democratic-controlled state Legislature are on the ballot and Republicans are seeking to build on gains from a 2021 cycle in which they flipped seven seats.

South Orange-Maplewood lies in a heavily Democratic section of Essex County, but education has been a heated issue during the campaign — especially arguments over the broad topic “parental rights” in schools.

Ronald Taylor, the district’s superintendent, wrote in a letter to parents what the district has been considering:

“Is promoting school-sponsored Halloween activities creating indirect and unintentional financial hardships for students and families? Do school-sponsored Halloween activities violate the dignity of some of our students and families, either culturally or religiously?”

The district said there can be events outside of school hours and schools can also hold harvest festivals on Oct. 31 during school hours.

• MORE: N.J. district ends in-school Halloween activities to mixed reviews

Kevin Gilbert, South Orange-Maplewood’s assistant superintendent for access and equity, said “we are taking a step closer to upholding our community’s access and equity values.”

Some schools in the district already had this policy. This move expands it across the entire district.

South Orange-Maplewood isn’t alone in reining in the holiday activity. In recent years, schools in and around Boston, Seattle, and Philadelphia have restricted their Halloween celebrations for similar reasons.

Parent Jessica Murphy argued that children in South Orange and Maplewood have “plenty of opportunities to celebrate Halloween,” with local festivals, parades, house decorations, and trick-or-treating.

“But in a district where you have a large population of families who have religious objections to the holiday, I just don’t understand why you would sacrifice classroom time for festivities that a significant segment of children cannot participate in,” Murphy said.

She added that it “hasn’t been an issue” in schools that already had this policy, so she is “not sure why the governor decided to make it one.”

Still, parent Maureen LePiane, whose daughter attends South Mountain Elementary School, said her child and others are “disappointed.”

“We believe it’s important for schools to strike a balance between respecting diverse beliefs and maintaining the joyous spirit of Halloween, which can be a valuable learning experience for children,” LePiane said.