Public commenters urge Berwick Area School District to reconsider proposed policies on transgender students

Dozens of residents, school staff and mental-health professionals urged the Berwick Area School District board on multiple occasions during public comment to reconsider proposed policy changes that speakers said would single out transgender, nonbinary and intersex students.

Speakers said the policies under review — identified in public remarks as Policy 2162 and Policy 7-19 — would require parental permission for a school to recognize a student's chosen name and would restrict restroom and locker-room access based on a binary understanding of sex and gender. "This policy would force children to use their dead names and inaccurate pronouns unless their parent makes a formal request," said Christina Burtzel Culver, a Salem Township resident who identified herself as a parent, alumna and co-chair of Defense of Democracy of Columbia County.

The speakers framed their concerns around student safety and legal risk. A caller who identified themselves as a licensed clinical social worker, Rick Montage, warned the board that policy decisions affect student mental health: "Between 2018 and 2022, 19 states passed anti-transgender policies. In the following years, suicide attempts among transgender teens increased by 72 percent," Montage said. Sarah Babinski, who said she is the parent of an incoming kindergartner, cited a 2023 Trevor Project survey and peer-reviewed research showing mental-health benefits when transgender youth can use chosen names at school.

Several commenters invoked federal civil-rights law and the U.S. Constitution. One resident summarized Title IX and said the proposed language conflicts with federal protections; another speaker, Karen Knight, cited the National Center for Transgender Equality and told the board that Title IX "clearly states that students have a right to use restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity" and that schools must address names and pronouns consistent with students' identities. Commenters also pointed to the district's own non-discrimination statement on its website as evidence the policies could be inconsistent with existing district commitments.

Opponents urged alternatives including offering single-occupancy restrooms and policies that allow students to request a chosen name without mandatory parental sign-off. "Instead of requiring parental permission, I urge us to adopt a policy that allows students themselves to request the use of a chosen name within the school setting," Sarah Babinski said.

A few speakers expressed opposing views. One commenter argued there are only two genders and urged the board to "keep traditional values" in schools; other speakers raised concerns about the burden on teachers and potential administrative complexity. Several participants also asked the board to clarify the policy-adoption process; a speaker later explained that the policies on the agenda had been introduced on a first reading and would return for a second reading before taking effect.

Board members did not make detailed policy statements during the public-comment portion included in the transcript provided. The meeting record shows extended public comment on the proposed policies and related topics, followed by routine agenda business.

The board will consider next steps as the policies move through the district's formal review process; the transcript indicates the policies were on the agenda for initial consideration but does not record a final adoption vote or an implementation date.