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Board debates gender-identity policy language; committee says policy mirrors state model
Summary
A board member objected to the policy’s use of the term “cisgender” and questioned including a resource list in policy 5145.7; the policy committee and superintendent said the policy is the model recommended by the New Jersey Department of Education and should not be altered.
During consideration of policy items, the board discussed the district’s policy on gender identity and expression (referred to in the meeting as policy 5145.7). A board member raised concerns about specific language and resource references, and policy committee members said the text matches the model policy provided by state guidance.
Board member Tom objected to the inclusion of the definition term "cisgender," saying he "personally find[s] [it] offensive" and questioned whether the appended list of organizations and resources belongs in board policy. Tom asked whether those materials could instead be provided through another channel.
A member of the policy committee responded that the committee made no changes to the language compared with the district’s prior version and that the model policy from the New Jersey Department of Education provides the resource list. The superintendent also advised against changing the model policy.
The board proceeded with roll-call voting on the policy items. One member indicated they voted in favor of the packet items except for the specific gender-identity policy. The board recorded roll-call results during the meeting and moved the policies through the agenda for final action.
The exchange captures the tension between members seeking removal or modification of particular terminology and the policy committee’s reliance on state-recommended model policy as justification for retaining the language.
