Colts Neck board adopts 'Parents' Bill of Rights' after heated public comment

The Colts Neck Township Board of Education voted unanimously on Nov. 19 to adopt a district "Bill of Rights" intended to consolidate parental‑rights provisions into a single policy. President Volpe opened the public session and the board completed a roll call before the vote.

The adoption followed a sustained public comment period in which speakers sharply disagreed about the policy's effects. Valentina Mendez, a parent, told the board the measure "is not about politics. It's about restoring trust, strengthening communication, ensuring that parents and schools work together." She cited items in the draft such as curriculum transparency, access to records, notification and consent for health or service changes, opt‑out provisions, data privacy, and a right to be heard.

Opponents, including licensed counselor Lucas Benrique and representatives from Garden State Equality, warned the policy could undermine existing student protections. Benrique said the draft would operate "in direct opposition of policy 5756," which he described as designed to prevent forced outing. Dr. Brian Kaufman, a psychologist and director of Rainbow Quest, urged the board to "follow the law and by doing so protect the safety of the children who see their schools as a safe place," saying policy language that pressures staff could put vulnerable students at risk. Caroline Monahan of Garden State Equality described the proposal as having the potential to create "gray areas for school staff who know the law, but may feel pressured by the introduction of this policy." Several speakers recounted experiences to underscore mental‑health risks for LGBTQ students.

Board members debated whether the current draft materially changed existing practice. Missus Ramirez, who led the board's drafting and presented the policy for first reading previously, said the current document consolidates prior policy language and had been reviewed by counsel. President Volpe framed the vote as a reaffirmation of parental authority: "Parental rights will remain at the forefront of every decision we make," he said on the record before the roll call.

The board approved the policy by roll call; the recorded votes in favor were read and the motion carried. The meeting minutes show the policy was moved and seconded and that no board member voted against it.

What happens next: the board said the policy will be posted with district materials and shared with the public; speakers at the meeting urged continued dialogue and legal compliance. Several community members said they expect continued engagement and, where necessary, advocacy to clarify how the policy will be implemented consistent with state law and existing student‑privacy protections.