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Public commenters urge Newport News School Board to change policy JBP to protect transgender students
Summary
At the April 21 meeting, multiple public commenters urged the Newport News School Board to revise procedure JBP to strengthen protections for transgender students and ensure district practice matches policy JB; the board heard testimony but took no immediate vote on changing JBP.
Public commenters pressed the Newport News School Board on April 21 to revise procedure JBP to better protect transgender students, saying current practice falls short of the division's stated support.
Reverend Natalie Chamberlain, who identified herself as pastor at Hilton Christian Church and a member of a long-standing coalition, told the board it was time to “do something” beyond verbal support and asked members to "change policy JBP." "If Montana can enshrine trans rights in its constitution," Chamberlain said, "can't you at least follow through on what you say you believe and fix a school policy?" She framed the request as a matter of basic human rights and student safety.
Jackie Batterson, a Newport News resident and member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula, urged the board to revise the district's procedure so it aligns with policy JB, which she cited as a guarantee of students' rights. "By denying our transgender children the right to be called by their chosen name and preferred pronoun, you deny them that dignity and respect," Batterson said, and asked the elected board to act because state-level bodies are not directly accountable to city voters.
Speakers who opposed changes made parental-rights arguments. Katherine Carter said she and other parents do not want JBP changed and insisted that "under no circumstances should a child be allowed to transition without parental consent." A separate speaker said the current JBP policy is "perfect the way it is" and expressed frustration about transparency and access to board materials.
The board did not take a formal vote on changes to JBP during the meeting. Board members acknowledged the comments and moved on to the published agenda. The meeting record shows that several speakers asked the elected board—rather than the state board of education—to take action because local voters elect this board.
What happens next: The transcript records public requests to revise procedure JBP and to align district practice with policy JB; the board did not announce formal next steps on that specific policy during this meeting.
