[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6267798,"mediaKeyId","3062840-ddb7ea0d5130ae64cca3dbea161b6f15","parentId",3062840,"title","Public comments defend diversity, equity and inclusion as district questions director title change and policy draw criticism","audioSeconds",592,"startMs",2044000,"endMs",2636000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3062840-ddb7ea0d5130ae64cca3dbea161b6f15&start=2044&end=2636","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3062840-ddb7ea0d5130ae64cca3dbea161b6f15/thumbnail_2044000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6267798/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Public-comments-defend-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-as-district-questions-director-title-change-and-policy-draw-criticism","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267798-655fdcc36d1983677de88a80b1da2fbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498961&Signature=o4WJuGGFC-PqD9kofTZffbSPtQYiXM5eOdutgJ5eI5IgkH5-cKIKu~XlftFyLEV7g3yZR6DdSxpNNDVtIg1vWZG5X8qtjWzpqQJFzZt5dx2WLxOv6GKyNv0wo7iNsO5JPUGzAICobXXz6B7~XPgzfzj~rNHvpCCvnaMdAI4VyCXaG~boa0QzSx~eFNg2~2H00YbWyGfAtjZNkmXgMMrGUyhDyuJB5Jb95r6E~F-jOLClolIXidNtaCQuqXs2xFejzMl7SAXZvmR9Hejh9nU8n4CxsBbKoFpY7CQQKrPPtU1-xSFynAsPrXZiMg3NSdYSbVzSocbeGUj37~-2UbPHqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-20T01:02:08.453Z","article","Residents and community members used the Wilbur Central Board of Education public-comment period on April 17 to defend diversity, equity and inclusion practices and to press the board on district policy for student privacy and parental notification.

Why it matters: The comments reflect an active local debate about DEI, student support practices and a district policy (identified in public comment as Policy 51 45.7) that governs how schools handle student disclosures about gender identity and parental notification.

Human Rights Commission chairman Glenn Morgan urged the community and the board to look beyond partisan rhetoric and described specific educational and accessibility practices as examples of equity and inclusion. \"Diversity is a presence of difference,\" Morgan said, and he listed programmatic examples such as translation services, accommodations for students with disabilities and curricular representation.

Robert Farrell, a longtime resident, echoed Morgan’s call for protecting the rights and dignity of vulnerable students, saying that protecting rights for some does not diminish others. \"Protecting the rights of others does not abridge or diminish any of my rights or anyone else's,\" he said.

A different strand of public comment criticized a district policy referenced by name in the public record. Anthony Mara read from what he identified as Policy 51 45.7 and argued the policy \"dishonors mom and dad,\" urging the board to replace it with a policy that requires counseling about risks he associated with gender transition. He read aloud a portion of the policy as printed in the transcript: \"Students who do not want their parents or guardians to know their transgender status shall be addressed on a case by case basis. The school counselor shall balance the rights of the student needing support and requirement that this parent students be to the parent guardian be kept informed about the child.\" Mara urged the board to \"abolish this policy\" and adopt what he called a \"common sense\" alternative.

Separately, a resident asked about the district’s internal staffing and nomenclature for DEI work. Paul Lund asked why the district had changed the title previously associated with equity/diversity/inclusion. A district official responded that the position title was changed earlier in the year to better reflect an evolved role; the new title named in the meeting record was \"Director of Student Access and Engagement.\" The official said the change reflected the position’s duties and was discussed between the superintendent and the staff member.

What’s next: The public comments were recorded in the meeting transcript; the board took no immediate policy vote on Policy 51 45.7 during the April 17 meeting. Community members were encouraged to attend future Human Rights Commission meetings and to follow up with district staff for details on policy language or proposed changes.

Ending: The board’s docket included multiple committee votes and operational items; the public-comment session at the April 17 meeting highlighted the ongoing local debate over DEI-related practices and parental-notification policy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Woodbridge School Board of Eduction Meeting | April 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several residents and Human Rights Commission members defended DEI-aligned practices at the April 17 meeting while a public speaker urged the board to repeal or revise Policy 51 45.7; the district confirmed a staff title change from a DEI-focused title to \"Director of Student Access and Engagement.\"","taxTitle","Woodbridge Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",14265,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6267801,"Board approves multiple committee agendas and superintendent’s package; votes, abstentions recorded",188,970000,1158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3062840-ddb7ea0d5130ae64cca3dbea161b6f15&start=970&end=1158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3062840-ddb7ea0d5130ae64cca3dbea161b6f15/thumbnail_970000.jpg","/articles/6267801/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Board-approves-multiple-committee-agendas-and-superintendents-package-votes-abstentions-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267801-e54fe30dc98c316a95b87159e85da633/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498961&Signature=o6W8Vn~cIuPlk1K2RKac3KM7l~cIUDJSeSZPWvdaUJLK8St5QTVjRbRmGf7HYniAJuxY4YVBoZwh0OOywQCpLXdWGxLsTiaOEzJHdBCgUi4R8dz63sftYt9cqTgFiyzr80-8NMJpmrLqA~7VPPlqZNaMlqI9RFhJMxqqyp8MTawXaFZk5xxc9WrAInSabVMWHarW~qSfp6BPz1uohPuMTtk-OKm5N4BCc9v9LxrQT1okux2j9nnVMXv6k4xc7MOdAqtx356qXketWQyHXgvHlaLVabLlGtmVzJA216oSYPGC13fEhEwnIXPbbA2xZW7Wbuf0pFECyQMchDJtzRQIiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wilbur Central Board of Education on April 17 adopted a large set of routine and substantive recommendations across committee agendas, including the superintendent’s agenda of 47 items and multiple committee packages.

The board approved: the superintendent’s agenda (47 items); Communication, Policy and Planning Committee recommendations (12 items); Curriculum, Extracurricular Activities and Technology Committee recommendations (14 items); Finance and Insurance Committee recommendations (21 items); Buildings and Grounds (5 items); Dining and Transportation (10 items); Personnel Committee (19 items); and the Safety and Security Committee (1 item).

Why it matters: The omnibus approvals include personnel appointments, fiscal items and facilities work that set the district’s operational and financial priorities for the coming weeks. While most votes were recorded as \"yes,\" the transcript logs a small number of abstentions tied to named personnel items.

Key votes and procedural details
- Superintendent’s agenda (47 items): Motion moved by Mr. Trebwasser and seconded by Miss Borden; roll call recorded approval with one abstention on a named personnel item by Mr. Trebwasser (noted as \"I abstain on the name and item 1 of Linda Treebwasser\").

- Communication, Policy and Planning Committee (12 items): Motion moved by Mr. Mohammed, seconded by Miss Perez; approved by roll call with all members voting yes.

- Curriculum, Extracurricular Activities and Technology Committee (14 items): Motion moved by Mr. Trebwasser, seconded by Miss Borden; approved by roll call with all members voting yes.

- Finance and Insurance Committee (21 items): Motion moved by Mr. Trebwasser, seconded by Miss Anderson; approved by roll call. Miss Borden recorded an abstention on item number 1 in the name of Susan Borden and voted yes on the remaining items.

- Buildings and Grounds (5 items): Motion moved by Miss Perez, seconded by Miss Borden; approved by roll call with all members voting yes.

- Dining and Transportation (10 items): Motion moved by Miss Perez, seconded by Miss Borden; approved by roll call with all members voting yes.

- Personnel Committee (19 items): Motion moved by Miss Borden, seconded by Miss Perez; approved by roll call. Miss Anderson recorded an abstention on item number 17 in the name of Naya Anderson and voted yes on remaining items.

- Safety and Security (1 item): Motion moved by Mr. Velez, seconded by Mr. Trebwasser; approved by roll call.

Board action notes: Where abstentions were recorded the meeting transcript notes the name(s) and the specific item(s) to which the abstention applied; otherwise items were adopted by recorded vote. The secretary read each roll call and recorded votes following the motions and seconds.

Ending: Several board members also used the meeting to thank volunteers and note district events before adjourning; the board scheduled an open public budget session for May 1 and the next regular meeting for May 8.","At its April 17 meeting the Wilbur Central Board of Education adopted the superintendent’s agenda (47 items) and committee recommendations across communications, curriculum, finance, buildings and grounds, dining and transportation, personnel and safety & security; several abstentions were recorded on named items.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6267806,"Wilbur Central rolls out metal detectors at high schools; board and public discuss expansion and logistics",2290,903000,3193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3062840-ddb7ea0d5130ae64cca3dbea161b6f15&start=903&end=3193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3062840-ddb7ea0d5130ae64cca3dbea161b6f15/thumbnail_903000.jpg","/articles/6267806/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Wilbur-Central-rolls-out-metal-detectors-at-high-schools-board-and-public-discuss-expansion-and-logistics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267806-1ef5f42a0b3717b932422ad3636f8786/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498961&Signature=VD7sX25uHL1IMePPgMQ8DBRpHmnaGSJKq1rcDU2BGZ2Ct4hxxy7MRWTdtu4PBcbVBXbgbNdY95fwUT87e3Xka8zA~YfjFOFNo9I5s1iIKa80ACDSmaDzbb30CuJDzrISIhEtBiNUz9fcl2lfyLaqr9a37bI1DL4cWA6LFL8Hg8VOEG~EuwqcIB1iogBbw1lm0xz7I2SxpNDjhvXTCxQa-3Ik2GqU~kIb~gF3jaf5msdMQxhfdQvtPY8uB6yVBDSF9n~YMYxnKM7nW4Qfo8EQSSyS2QMh5eT3gUMn~wvPjlOGJye7TG2wKmzrfsHqIkG1cdTeonKEcbllj5rGciVTZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wilbur Central Board of Education on April 17 confirmed the district has deployed metal detectors at its three high schools and said officials are working through operational issues before considering expansion to other grade levels.

Board President Mr. Harris opened the discussion after public comment and committee votes and the board described the device rollout as a rapid response following a recent incident. \"When the incident happened on 1 day, the next day, the metal detectors were ordered,\" the superintendent said.

Why it matters: Board members and speakers framed the detectors as a safety measure taken quickly after a specific event; parents and residents urged the district to consider adding detectors at middle and elementary schools and to identify funding and staffing options before wider rollout.

Superintendent Dr. Massimino told the board the district has learned practical lessons during the first week of operation and is in contact with neighboring districts that have implemented similar systems. \"We're starting our three high schools. Expansion is obviously something that we will have conversation about,\" he said, adding that the district is balancing economic and personnel impacts tied to collective-bargaining agreements.

Public comments at the meeting pressed the board to expand the devices. \"What I would recommend is would be to put detectors all the schools,\" said one resident identified in the transcript as Mr. Vittar. Another speaker urged the district to consider corporate or private donations to offset costs and suggested dedicating detectors in memory of community members.

Board members and administrators described operational challenges and early fixes: adjustments for arrival times, bag screening, staff deployment and parent communications. The superintendent said stakeholders including parents, teachers and students have been largely cooperative. \"I don't know what the cost for keeping children safe is... I don't know what the time frame is or how much it's worth. To me, they're both immeasurable,\" he said.

The district noted constraints that will shape any expansion decision: delivery lead times for equipment, budgetary limits, personnel needs and collective-bargaining parameters for staff who would operate checkpoints. The board said it will first continue to stabilize operations at the three high schools and then evaluate expansion options, including cost estimates and scheduling impacts.

Board action connected to safety: the Safety and Security Committee presented one item that the board adopted by roll call (recorded as approved). Separately, several speakers thanked staff and volunteers for assisting with the rollout and for improving efficiency at entry points.

What’s next: The board said it will continue collecting data from the current implementation, consult with nearby districts, and return to the question of wider deployment once logistics, staffing and funding scenarios are clearer.

Ending: Administrators encouraged community members to raise questions through school channels while the district completes the initial rollout and evaluation.","The Wilbur Central Board of Education reported a weeklong rollout of metal detectors at the district’s three high schools and discussed possible expansion, budget and staffing implications after public comment urged broader deployment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public comments defend diversity, equity and inclusion as district questions director title change and policy draw criticism

Board approves multiple committee agendas and superintendent’s package; votes, abstentions recorded

Wilbur Central rolls out metal detectors at high schools; board and public discuss expansion and logistics