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Watchung Hills board hears emotional public comments on Policy 5756; repeal not finalized
Summary
Students, parents and residents urged the Watchung Hills Regional High School District board not to rescind Policy 5756 protecting transgender students; board said the policy has not been repealed and will receive further discussion.
Dozens of students, parents and community members urged the Watchung Hills Regional High School District board to keep Policy 5756, which attendees said protects transgender and gender‑diverse students, during a public‑comment period at the board meeting.
Catherine Ryder, a Watchung Hills senior from Warren, asked why the board was considering repeal of the policy: “What was the end goal of repealing 57, 56? Because if you pride yourself on a school that protects kids, then why'd you get rid of like a policy that protects them?”
The concerns continued with Emmeline Dalton, a Watchung Hills senior from Warren, who told the board she believed the board violated standard procedure when the issue was discussed at an earlier meeting and asked for a re‑vote with full notice. “I implore you to please revote while giving everyone adequate time to prepare and placing it on the agenda,” Dalton said.
Other speakers cited statistics and potential harms they said could follow a repeal. Emmeline Dalton referenced national figures on suicidal thoughts and attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth from the Trevor Project; River Perez Walters of Long Hill said the policy “is meant to keep them safe.” Nicole Gomero, a Warren resident and district alum, framed the issue as part of a broader set of curriculum and civil‑rights concerns and asked the board to explain how it chooses which student groups to protect.
Board members closed the public‑comment period and later told the audience that Policy 5756 has not been repealed and that discussion will continue at a later board meeting. The board announced it will hold further conversation on the issue after the meeting and said no final action had been taken.
The meeting record shows no formal vote on Policy 5756 during the session. The board opened the second public‑comment period, heard statements from additional speakers, and then moved into executive session for further work; the chair stated explicitly that no action would be taken during the executive session.
The board did not provide a schedule for the next discussion or a timeline for any potential vote on Policy 5756.
The public‑comment record for this meeting will be part of future discussions about the policy and any related board actions.
