New Jersey School Board Approves Controversial Parental Rights Policy

BREAKING: The Colts Neck school board in Monmouth County, New Jersey, has just approved a contentious “Parental Bill of Rights” policy, allowing parents to know if their children change their pronouns or gender identity at school. This unanimous decision, made on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, is stirring significant backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates who warn it could endanger vulnerable youth.

Under the new policy, parents can now formally inquire about their children’s decisions regarding gender identity, a move that critics argue may lead to harmful outcomes for transgender and non-binary students. Colts Neck serves approximately 1,000 students from kindergarten through eighth grade across three schools.

School board president Angelique Volpe stated, “Parents are the primary authority in their children’s education, and this district will never sideline that role.” She emphasized that every child will be “protected, respected, and treated equally, without exception.” Volpe’s remarks, made during a publicly accessible meeting, highlight the board’s firm stance on parental rights over student privacy.

“We will not permit any sexual content, ideology or identity to take priority over the rights of our families,” Volpe declared.

However, critics like Michael Gottesman, founder of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition, argue this policy is a direct assault on the rights of LGBTQ+ youth. “It is a direct attack on the rights of the LGBTQ/transgender specifically and on any issues relating to gender identity,” Gottesman stated.

The policy has drawn mixed reactions, with conservative activists, including Shawn Hyland, voicing support. Hyland expressed gratitude towards the board for recognizing that many parents prioritize their children’s best interests. He stated, “School policies should reflect that reality,” a sentiment echoed by several supporters at the meeting.

Critics are concerned that this policy could lead to what they term “forced outing,” where students’ identities are disclosed without their consent. One speaker emphasized that “outing students without their consent is psychologically damaging, is discrimination, and is illegal in New Jersey.”

This decision comes amid a wider debate about transgender rights in schools. Most of New Jersey’s 600 school districts currently uphold policies ensuring privacy for transgender students. However, a recent appellate court ruling has allowed some districts to reconsider or amend their policies, sparking further controversy.

In February 2023, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin sued several school districts for altering their transgender policies, a move that followed guidance issued in 2018 aimed at protecting students’ rights. The recent court ruling has created a ripple effect, prompting some districts, including Edison, to eliminate transgender protections altogether.

With the Colts Neck school board’s decision, the implications for both students and parents are significant, raising questions about the balance between parental rights and student privacy. As this situation develops, advocates on both sides are watching closely to understand its impact on the broader landscape of education and civil rights in New Jersey.

As community members and stakeholders digest the ramifications of this policy, the conversation around parental rights and LGBTQ+ protections is sure to intensify. What happens next in Colts Neck could set a precedent for other districts across the state and beyond.