NJ sues 3 school districts for transgender student policies.

The State of New Jersey Sues School Districts Over Transgender Policies

The State of New Jersey has taken legal action against three Monmouth County school districts over their new policies regarding transgender students. These policies require school officials to inform parents if their child wishes to transition to another gender.

New Jersey’s Attorney General, Matthew Platkin, filed lawsuits against the Middletown, Marlboro, and Manalapan school districts, alleging that their policies unlawfully discriminate against students based on gender identity and expression. The lawsuits argue that these policies will cause significant and irreversible harm to students if not stopped.

The lawsuit characterizes parental disclosure as a threat to transgender students, claiming that it can lead to serious mental health risks, physical harm, and a lack of a safe learning environment.

All three districts approved these policies, prompting Platkin to file “emergency” lawsuits within 24 hours. The policies now require school officials to notify parents if their child undergoes a gender identity or expression change.

In addition, the Manalapan district has determined that the responsibility for determining a student’s gender identity lies with the parents or guardians for children in Pre-K through 5th grade, rather than with the student.

Conflict with State Policy

These local district rules conflict with the transgender policy set by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). The NJDOE mandates that a student’s transgender status should be kept confidential, even from parents. If disclosed, the district should facilitate the family’s acceptance and support of the student’s transgender status.

Non-compliance with the NJDOE’s mandates could result in the loss of state funding or even state takeover of the districts. The state has previously taken over mismanaged districts and threatened financial sanctions for non-compliance with COVID-19 mask mandates.

The Middletown School Board has previously clashed with Governor Phil Murphy’s administration over mask mandates. After facing the threat of legal action, the board eventually complied.

Parental Concerns

Many local parents have expressed support for their school boards’ decisions and voiced concerns about the exclusion of parents from the conversation.

“The LGBTQIA community claims to be all-inclusive, but they are advocating to exclude parents,” said one mother, emphasizing the interference with her ability to support her children. She criticized the messaging that blames parents and instills fear in young children, stating that it is not the community’s role to decide what is appropriate in her home.

A father also addressed the school board, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement and the desire to be informed about their children’s well-being.