Over the last several weeks debates have heated up as some school districts attempted to implement parental notification policies that focus on the gender identity and expression of students. The policies required parents to be notified if their child is changing their gender identity or expression. However, in a letter sent to parents last week, Middletown and Marlboro school districts agreed — at the request of a judge — to pause efforts to fully implement the new policies until the case is argued in court on Aug. 15, despite disagreeing with the state’s assessment that their policies are discriminatory or improper.
Other school districts, like Manalapan, have requested to negotiate with the state’s attorney general to agree on the framework of the policy and Hanover’s policy remains on pause. The attorney general filed civil rights complaints against all four districts, arguing the policies “out” LGBTQ+ students.
