Berwick Area School District approves policies on student names and multi-user facilities after extended public comment

The Berwick Area School District board approved two contested policies — Policy 2-16 on student records and Policy 7-19 on multi-user privacy facilities — as part of a consent agenda at its meeting on Oct. 6, 2025. The actions drew more than an hour of public comment from residents, students and advocacy groups before the items were included in a single motion that the board approved.

Supporters of retaining or expanding protections for transgender and gender-diverse students urged the board to prioritize safety and mental health. “This is not a trans pandemic. This is a very small number of vulnerable students,” said Jill Freeman, a borough resident, arguing that administrative rules about names and bathrooms can “cause real harm.” Heather Traeger, who identified herself as a resident, told the board that some students “are more likely to be bullied, harassed, or assaulted simply because of who they are,” and said affirming names and access to facilities…