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Berwick Area School Board hears extended public comment after two transgender- and records-related policies placed on first reading
Summary
Dozens of community members and educators urged the Berwick Area School Board to reconsider proposed student-records and transgender-related policies (identified in public comment as policies 2.16.2 and 7.19). Speakers cited Title IX, mental‑health research and practical enforcement concerns; the policies were on first reading and were not adopted at this meeting.
The Berwick Area School District board heard more than an hour of public comment after the district placed two student-records/transgender-related policies on first reading.
Christina Burtzel Colbert of Salem Township told the board the student-records proposal "would force children to use their dead names and inaccurate pronouns unless their parent makes a formal request," and warned the change "opens up this district to lawsuits." A licensed clinical social worker who spoke to the board said research shows major policy shifts regarding transgender youth affect mental health, and urged members to weigh the life‑and‑death stakes of their vote.
Several parents and teachers echoed that point. Samira Badinsky said requiring parental permission for a chosen name risks outing students whose home environments are unsafe and cited a study showing use of a chosen name across settings is linked to lower depression and suicide attempts. Sue Zarate, a Burwick Middle School teacher, asked the board to reconsider the requirement that parents make in‑person requests and recommended the board consult legal resources and classroom staff before moving forward.
Board members also heard opposing remarks from residents who argued the policies should preserve traditional understandings of sex and gender and who questioned the prevalence of incidents prompting the changes. One attendee said, "There are 2 genders, proven by ... science," while others emphasized concerns about facility access and staff enforcement.
Speakers repeatedly referenced federal protections and funding: Karen Knight cited Title IX and the district’s nondiscrimination statement on its website, saying federal law "clearly states that students have a right to use restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity" and that schools may be required to address names and pronouns. Another speaker warned the board that policies in conflict with federal law could jeopardize federal funding the district receives.
Jacob Kelly, a doctoral candidate and inclusivity consultant, asked practical enforcement questions: if the district restricts staff language, who would monitor informal classroom speech (for example, a teacher calling a class "guys") and how would teachers be expected to balance instruction with compliance. Kelly said such rules increase teachers' workload and called for clearer operational guidance.
District staff and the board clarified that the items were on first reading and do not take effect until after a second reading and a formal vote. A member of the public asked the board to explain the first/second reading process to reduce confusion among residents.
The meeting record does not show the board adopting the policies at this session. Public commenters urged the board either to withdraw the proposals or to revise them to avoid stigmatizing or endangering students, while others urged adoption to strengthen anti‑harassment measures. The board did not take final action on the policies at this meeting; a second reading or further deliberation would be required for any change to take effect.
