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Residents press board over policy 5756 and parental rights at Galloway Township meeting
Summary
Multiple residents addressed the board during public comment, voicing sharply divided views on policy 5756 (guidance on supporting students with gender identity concerns). Speakers argued both that the policy protects vulnerable students and that it denies parents information and control; the board did not take policy action at this meeting.
Public comment at the Galloway Township Board of Education meeting on March 17 centered on a continuing community dispute over policy 5756, the district policy tied to guidance on supporting students who identify as transgender or gender-diverse.
Several residents said the policy deprives parents of information and expressed alarm; others said the policy protects vulnerable students and asked the board to consider student welfare first. The board did not vote on changing the policy during the meeting; members asked for respectful public discourse.
Jean Marie Mason, who identified herself as a supporter of the district, said the disruption at a nearby district meeting was unprofessional but stressed her view that parents deserve straightforward information. "What I do not agree with is people who come to a school board meeting, who disrupt and cause chaos... I heard shouts of, 'It's a lie. It's a lie. Repeal 5756,'" Mason said.
Father Jim Hutchins said he believes parents should control decisions about a child's gender-related care and criticized policy language he said "deliberately denies parents their rights." He argued that schools should not direct children toward transition and described parents as the primary decision-makers for children.
Gary Hermanau, a Galloway resident, framed his remarks around religious belief and parental authority, saying, "It is the parents' responsibility to raise their children as they see fit." He criticized what he described as intimidation at prior meetings.
Kelly Grace, a longtime resident and taxpayer, asked whether teachers had been the subject of incidents that would justify claims of educators being "hurt" by public discussion; she said the debate should be clarified and reiterated that the issue, in her view, is parental rights.
Speaking in support of the policy, AJ Mass, a Galloway resident and former district parent, said a very small fraction of students are affected and argued the policy is similar to existing child-protection practices. Mass urged the board to prioritize student safety: "A child's welfare comes first. Period."
The public comment period closed with no board action on policy 5756 taken that evening. The board opened the meeting to public comment for agenda items and then for other public comments; several speakers used that opportunity to discuss the policy and parental-rights concerns.
