Public commenter accuses Berwick board of policies harming LGBTQ students; board hears childcare and calendar concerns

Christina Versal Culver of Salem Township used her allotted public-comment time to criticize recent district policy actions she said "strip liberty and justice from our most vulnerable students," referencing recent policy changes affecting LGBTQ students. "I and others like me who took that liberty and justice for all seriously will continue to show up and fight back," Versal Culver said.

Versal Culver added she had experienced bullying in school and said her religious background does not change her belief in separation of church and state; she urged the board to consider the rights and safety of vulnerable students when crafting policy.

During the same public-comment period, Crystal Mikalowski asked about the calendar drafts handed out to board members and whether the proposed schedules preserve the Wednesday half-days that parents use for childcare and for students involved in after-school athletics. District staff responded that the drafts retain half-days for elementary-level professional development and that the district works with local partners to provide childcare options.

No board action was taken during public comment; the board noted the speakers and closed the meeting after recognizing outgoing members and reporting an earlier executive session had covered two personnel items and two legal items.