Governor: Not informing parents about child’s gender change is ‘American way’

Phil Murphy’s administration takes a stand ⁤against school ⁣districts’ parental notification​ policies

​ School districts that keep ‍parents⁤ in the dark when their child experiences a change in gender identity are⁢ simply following “the American way,” according to New ‍Jersey Democratic governor Phil ‍Murphy.

During a CBS News appearance, Murphy defended his administration’s decision to sue school districts that‍ implement parental notification policies. These policies⁤ require school officials to inform parents when their child displays a change in gender identity. Murphy believes that such policies force⁣ school staff ⁢to disclose LGBTQ+ students’ identities to ⁢their parents, violating⁣ the child’s constitutional rights. Therefore, opposing parental ​notification is, in Murphy’s⁣ view,‌ “the American way.”

‌ “Listen, we took these⁤ actions because it’s the right thing to do,” ‌Murphy stated. “Let’s protect the rights of ⁢these precious‌ kids. Let’s do‍ things the right way,⁣ the American way.”

‌ These comments from the Democrat come as Murphy and other liberal Northeast lawmakers criticize⁤ parents who want a say in ‍their children’s education. In addition ⁤to ‌Murphy’s lawsuits, liberal state legislators in New ⁣Hampshire ‍have recently made⁢ inflammatory remarks towards parental rights advocates. For example, state representative Tom Hoyt ​ lashed out at a parent who urged‌ him ‌to pass a parental rights bill, telling the parent ⁢to “let the teachers teach, ⁣and​ shut up.” Similarly, in July, Democratic state senator Catherine Sofikitis likened ‌a leading parental rights advocacy group to the Taliban.
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The⁤ Biden administration has also taken steps to exclude parents from the education process. In 2021, Attorney ⁤General Merrick Garland issued ⁣a memo launching investigations into⁣ parents who “intimidate” school boards. This memo was in response to a‌ request ⁤from the National ⁣School Boards ‍Association, ⁢which‍ referred to concerned parents as potential “domestic terrorists.”

⁣ ‍Murphy’s attorney ⁣general, Matt Platkin, has also defended the administration’s fight against districts with parental​ notification policies. Platkin‌ argues that these policies pose “serious mental health ⁣risks” and threaten “physical harm to⁣ students.” Additionally, Platkin has informed New Jersey’s school districts that politically neutral bans on⁣ flags and posters could also lead to legal action, as reported by the ⁣ Washington Free Beacon in June.

⁤ The Marlboro Board‌ of Education, which was sued by‌ the‍ Murphy⁢ administration in late June, has vowed⁢ to defend ⁣its parental notification policy. According to the ​school board’s attorney, “It is our position ​that keeping ⁤parents ⁢in‌ the dark⁢ about‌ important issues involving their children is counterintuitive ‍and contrary⁣ to ⁣well-established Supreme Court case law that says parents have ‌a constitutional right to direct and control⁤ the upbringing of their children.”

While Murphy and‌ other Democrats clash with parental rights advocates, test scores across the country are declining. A National Assessment​ of Education Progress report published in June revealed that math and reading scores among American 13-year-olds are at their lowest levels in⁢ decades. Although the Biden administration claims that its “historic” COVID-era school spending will ​reverse this trend, many districts used those funds to⁢ provide ‌lucrative staff bonuses.
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