The Edison Township Board of Education has faced criticism after voting to rescind its policy protecting transgender students from being outed to their parents by school staff. This decision, made during a recent board meeting, has drawn backlash from advocacy groups who argue that it was enacted without sufficient public debate or transparency.
The policy, known as Policy 5756, allowed school staff to maintain confidentiality regarding a student’s transgender identity, recognizing that some students may feel unsafe revealing their identity at home. Advocates argue that such policies are crucial for the well-being of transgender students, who often face significant challenges if their identities are disclosed to unsupportive parents.
Edison, the fifth-largest school district in New Jersey with nearly 17,000 students, voted 5-3 to rescind the policy. Critics, however, highlighted that the vote was not included in the meeting’s agenda and did not allow for public comment. Michael Gottesman, head of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition, expressed outrage, stating, “They really did it in stealth mode. Why didn’t this Board go through the lawful process of putting the motion to rescind on the agenda and allowing the public to comment?”
Both the New Jersey Public Education Coalition and Garden State Equality, the state’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, notified the state Attorney General about the lack of transparency surrounding the vote. They pointed out that no response was received from the Edison board or superintendent after their concerns were raised.
A video from the board meeting revealed that the policy committee sought legal guidance from an outside law firm regarding the transgender policy, but some board members claimed they had not reviewed the options presented by the lawyer. The board proceeded to vote without further discussion or public engagement.
The rescission of transgender policies has been a contentious issue across New Jersey, with approximately 20 districts having recently dropped similar protections. The state Attorney General previously sued five districts in Morris and Monmouth Counties for making changes to their policies.
In a letter to Edison Superintendent Edward Aldarelli, the ACLU Foundation of New Jersey and Garden State Equality protested the board’s decision, emphasizing that the district is jeopardizing the safety and well-being of its students. They urged the superintendent to reinstate the policy swiftly, citing concerns about inconsistent treatment and potential legal ramifications.
Advocates like Lauren Albrecht, Director of Advocacy and Organizing for Garden State Equality, emphasized that policies supporting transgender students are vital for creating a safe school environment, which can help mitigate issues like homelessness, bullying, and mental health challenges within the LGBTQ+ community.
Gottesman has also reported the board’s actions to the state Division of Civil Rights, asserting that the vote lacked proper public procedure. “This board kept the public in the dark to avoid a backlash at their meeting,” he contended.
