Parent tells Galloway board her transgender child was not supported, prompting emotional public comment
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Summary
A parent said she removed her transgender child from Galloway schools, alleging the district did not provide support and that communications were unresponsive; a second resident spoke in defense of the board and of free speech during public comment.
GALLOWAY TWP., N.J. — During public comment at Monday’s school-board meeting a local parent delivered an emotional account alleging the district failed to support her transgender child and saying she had removed the child from district schools.
Introducing herself as Susan Cal Geddes, the speaker described a pattern of unresponsiveness from district staff and said her child, who has an IEP, “is not accepted here” and was treated as an outcast. She asked the board to read the board’s code of ethics at every meeting and said she planned to pursue due process because she was not receiving timely responses to urgent requests for help. “They deserve to be able to get a free public education and be a part of things that are wonderful and not be an outcast at 11,” she said.
A second resident, Gary Hermono, then addressed the board and said he agreed every child deserves a decent education but defended the board’s role and the importance of free speech. Hermono said people in the community hold differing views and that the elected board members are doing the best job they can.
Board leaders did not provide a public response beyond thanking the commenters; the board reiterated that issues involving litigation, student discipline or personnel would be handled outside the public meeting and that the superintendent or district offices could be contacted for follow-up.
Next steps: The speaker said she would file for due process; the board advised any matters related to individual student records or litigation be taken up with the superintendent after the meeting or in the appropriate closed session.
