A plan outlining safeguards for transgender students was repealed on Thursday by a “parental rights” lot on the Westwood Regional School Board.
Although not required, Policy 5756 has been adopted by school districts across the position since Gov. passed an anti-discrimination laws. Chris Christie in the year 2017. However, it has turned into a goal in some areas for those who claim that it violates parents ‘ right to know what is happening with their children.
At Thursday’s meet, the Westwood board voted 5 to 2 to overturn the guidelines, entangle itself in controversy once more in 2023. Following the defeat of three self-described parental rights defenders in next week’s vote, including two incumbents, the nine-member board may experience a significant change next month.
The group “knows you will vote to complete this plan tonight, regardless of how many speak out against it, so we did n’t,” said Amara Geipel, a transgender high school senior.
What effect the reform of the transgender plan will have is unknown. The country’s Law Against Discrimination offers protections for trans students, and according to the state Attorney Generals Office, teachers and school districts are also required to abide by this law regardless of what local boards decide.
Laura Cooper, a member of the board’s plan committee, responded that it would be up to Superintendent Jill Mortimer to put the repeal into effect in the area when Jay Garcia, the other two table members to vote against it, asked what specifically changing the policy may change and how teachers should respond. Mortimer was n’t present at the meeting.
More: The district’s Westwood class candidates are enraged by the female debate here.
What was required by Policy 5756
District personnel must take a person’s asserted gender identification and preferred nouns, according to the policy, which was adopted in Westwood in 2016 and updated in 2019. According to the policy, which is in line with state Education Department guidelines, it is” no affirmative duty for any school district personnel to inform a student’s parent or guardian of the student” s gender identity or expression.”
According to the Law Against Discrimination, the college district must” demand their table attorney regarding the small student’s legal rights and protections” in cases where a parent or guardian agrees with the student about the name and word used at school.
The stated objective of Policy 5756 was to “ensure that its institutions provide a safe and friendly learning environment that is free from discrimination and harassment for transgender individuals, including individuals going through the female change.”
The controversial choice was made at a school board meeting that was otherwise celebrating the district’s football, girls ‘ soccer, and different teachers and students ‘ educational accomplishments.
What coverage supporters and supporters said
The program was not as crowded as another table meetings have been in recent months, with a few people speaking in favor of the policy’s repeal while others spoke against it. Both the government and the committee members who supported reform argued in favor of parents ‘ rights, while those who opposed it claimed that transgender students might not have a secure home environment.
Paul Martin of Westwood backed the choice made by the majority. Martin noted that our students were “often stuck in a dreadful cycle of self-harm and eternal victimhood,” and he expressed concern for their” safety and well-being” as they struggled with their names. However, he continued,” In reality, abolishing this policy wo n’t expose those students to harm, contrary to popular belief.”
Hundreds of people showed up to discuss the board’s judgments and statements regarding sexual education, parental messages, and LGBTQ+ Pride indications at the contentious meetings that culminated on Thursday.
Citizens rejected two parental rights incumbent and a stranger during the November election, ushering in novel candidates who pledged to advance “equitable people education for all kids” moving forward.
About 2,800 students from Washington Township and Westwood are served by the city.
Local writer Stephanie Noda works for NorthJersey .com. Please sign up for or activate your online account right away to receive unrestricted access to the most significant local news.
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