The conversation, secretly recorded, was stark.

The mayor of Linden and two school officials spoke bluntly about just who they thought should be hired by the school system. And who should not, according to court filings.

“If it’s in a neighborhood school district,” said one of those present, identified in those filings as the school board president, “we don’t mind if it is a Black person or a Haitian-speaking person.”

The mayor was more direct, it was alleged.