Edison BOE Votes Against Scrapping State Transgender Policy

EDISON, NJ — After a meeting that went on for over seven hours, the Edison Board of Education on Tuesday voted against repealing the state-recommended policy that offered protections to transgender students.

On Sept. 30, the BOE brought a motion to repeal Policy 5756. The vote was not on the agenda but BOE member Visha Patel put forward the motion to abolish the policy, seconded by Shannon Peng. While moving to repeal the policy, Vishal Patel said the policy undermines the rights of parents to know what’s happening with their child.

This caused many community members and advocates to raise concerns over the way the BOE decided to move against the policy.

Later, school Superintendent Edward Alderelli released a statement saying that any policy adoption, revision, or abolishment requires two readings and approval by the BOE. A policy cannot be abolished until it is voted on again at a subsequent Board meeting.

During Tuesday’s BOE meeting, several community members spoke against repealing the policy.

During the public comment section, an alumnus of Edison High School said that the policy was not just about parental rights and did more for queer students. The speaker said the policy acts as a shield to protect vulnerable children.

“I want to understand where the board comes from on this issue. I'm willing to believe every one of you on stage and all of you in the audience will try your absolute hardest to support your children if they question their assigned gender identity. But frankly, Policy 5756 is not about you, the supportive parent, it’s about protecting those most vulnerable from harm,” the speaker said.

The resident also criticized the BOE for bringing the motion to a vote without putting it on the public agenda.

Another resident said she would like for her children to have a safe space where they could talk about their gender identity if needed. She noted that children don’t always confide in their parents.

"Whether you like it or not, kids including AAPI youth struggle with identity. These fears, particularly when kids feel alone, lead to concerning outcomes,” the resident said.

“I want my kids, who attend Edison Public Schools to know that they have someone they can speak to immediately without fear.”

Several advocates and clinical child psychologists from across the state attended the meeting and spoke in support of the policy.

Other residents who were in favor of repealing the policy said the district should replace it with educating children on the pros and cons of gender identity.

“Educate them. Tell them of the consequences and keep mom and dad in the loop,” one resident said. “Repealing Policy 5756 does not violate the law. New Jersey law remains intact. You have no authority to override it, you’re simply paving another way.”

The number of people who spoke in favor of the policy outnumbered those who opposed it.

Some residents even accused certain board members of spreading misinformation about the policy and allowing the rhetoric to devolve into a “horrifying state.”

During the vote Chris Lugo, Brian Rivera, Doug Schneider, Biral Patel, and Joseph Romano voted against repealing the policy.

Vishal Patel, Shannon Peng and Anjana Patel voted to repeal the policy.

Board president Biral Patel said the BOE was not given documents from the policy committee before their vote in September.

The Committee recently submitted its recommendations suggesting the district continue to follow state guidelines. The BOE president said he researched the policy over the past month.

“So many in the community have largely misinterpreted and are being misinformed about the policy. Some people don’t even know what the policy is and they say it takes away parental rights. I don’t think it’s about taking away rights, there’s a lot beyond it,” Biral Patel said.

“In my opinion, it is imperative that the board and community have a full understanding of how the policy is implemented and its ramifications or removing before any action is taken.”

Policy 5756 is not just about keeping parents informed. It includes allowing the student to dress in accordance with their gender identity and use their chosen name and pronouns in school.

Three NJ school districts — Middletown, Marlboro, and Manalapan-Englishtown — were sued by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin last June for repealing the policy. Hanover has since voted to repeal the policy but is being challenged by the state for violating that injunction because of the repeal.

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