The Ocean City School District Board of Education advanced several policy updates and approved routine resolutions at its meeting, while one member publicly opposed the board's transgender policy and members of the public addressed the board on related state legislation.

At the May meeting, the district's policy committee presented four first-reading policies for alignment with CUSAC and minor adjustments from counsel. The committee discussed executive authority, position creation, the district mentoring plan and certification of tenure charges; the mentoring plan was described as replacing the previous instruction program for provisional teachers.

The board then voted on a slate of resolutions. During roll call on one set of items, Board Member Nicoletti said, “So I'm gonna say no to, policy 5 7 5 6, the transgender policy.” Nicoletti's dissent was recorded during the roll call for those resolutions; other members cast yes votes or abstained as recorded during the meeting.

Public comment that followed included speakers urging the board's stance on state-level guidance. Janice Weber, identified as a taxpayer and doctoral student, said, “Youngsters who suffer from distorted gender confusion need compassionate pastoral care and healing.” Her remarks urged the board to consider religious and pastoral perspectives when evaluating policies and state bills she referenced as "New Jersey bill 57 56." Albert Weber, introduced as a resident, asked the board to respect parents' decision-making, saying children need “solid guidance and healthy boundaries.”

Other public commenters addressed separate topics. Ben Hartranft and an accompanying speaker called for the district to host an autism-awareness speaker; Hartranft said, “Please bring me in,” and his supporters described his experience as a motivational speaker focused on inclusion and kindness. Dr. G. Marie Mason, a volunteer with NAMI New Jersey, thanked the board for recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and said, “Mental health is physical health,” praising the district's mental-health resources.

Discussion vs. decision: the policy committee's items were presented as first readings for alignment with CUSAC and counsel recommendations; those readings are preliminary steps and do not, by themselves, adopt final policy language. Nicoletti's negative vote on policy 5756 was recorded during roll call on the relevant slate. The public comment period included no formal board action in response; several speakers requested future consideration or district-hosted events.

The board also approved a motion to remove two ad hoc committees (district communications and health and wellness) from the recurring monthly agenda; the motion passed with one recorded nay. Board members noted the committees are ad hoc and need appear on the monthly agenda only when they meet.

The board did not take additional formal action that night on the specific state legislation referenced by commenters. Several members reiterated that personnel, student, or litigation matters cannot be discussed during public comment under the Open Public Meetings Act and invited individuals to meet with the chief school administrator after the meeting for matters requiring confidentiality.