Freehold Township School Board approves personnel and contract packages, debates equity-plan language

The Freehold Township School board on a single evening approved a slate of personnel, curriculum and finance items, voted to renew several vendor contracts including a digital-content platform, and moved into a closed executive session; one board member voted against the comprehensive equity-plan package and urged additional review of language on gender-separated instruction and sports.

The board approved the personnel and policy package that included the district—s comprehensive equity plan (CEP) and a set of related personnel items. Mrs. Spiller, a member of the Personnel Policy and Communications committee, told the board she "appreciate[d]" the work on the CEP and that "we have policies to protect everyone," but said she wanted "one more time to come and review this" because she was "in disagreement" with portions that allow separate sections of sensitive material to be "based on gender identity." She argued the language was unclear about sports and facilities.

The board—s discussion noted state and federal guidance. A board speaker summarized state guidance, saying the New Jersey Department of Education "issued" direction about how districts should implement inclusive curricula and that "executive orders do not create new laws, change existing ones, or provide legally…