Watchung Hills board keeps transgender-student policy in place, agrees to revise language after heated discussion and public comment

The Watchung Hills Regional High School District Board of Education discussed Policy 5756, the district’s transgender-student policy, at length during its June meeting and agreed to keep the policy in place while working on clarifying revisions.

The discussion drew board members’ concerns about wording described as “contradictory” and confusion over whether the policy could be amended in parts or only rescinded whole. Superintendent Dr. Michael Jewett reiterated that the district’s anti-bullying self-assessment scored 78 out of 78 and emphasized legal constraints; he also noted the district’s membership in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

Why it matters: commenters and staff said the policy provides essential guidance for school employees on privacy and student safety; some board members said the policy’s language could create uncertainty about parental notification, records access and how athletic eligibility is handled. The board stopped short of rescinding the policy and directed a revision process to resolve ambiguities.

Board discussion centered on two separate issues, board members and staff said: the district’s nondiscrimination and student-support policy (Policy 5756) and separate rules governing athletic…