Fox News Digital reported that parents who were outraged at the transgender policy of their New Jersey district school board met last week with the lawyer. He told them that they are not allowed to decide the curriculum for their children’s public schools.
On October 19, parents at the Lawrence Township Board of Education meeting expressed concern about controversial lessons and books that contained gender-questioning themes.
Parents were concerned about “Jacob’s New Dress”, a book by Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman. This picture book is for kindergartens and tells the story of a young boy who loves dressing up and wants to wear a gown to school.
The district was confronted by parents about its encouragement of fourth-grade students questioning their gender. They also provided a lesson on “gender snowperson” to the students. CentralJersey.com reported that students are required to play a game in which they can assume any gender they want.
Ana Samuel, a resident of the district, spoke at the board meeting. She stated that the lesson encourages children to question gender and leads them towards the slippery slope known as ‘transgender treatment plans’.
Parents also raised concerns about the district’s Transgender Policy, Policy 5756. It states that the district will accept students’ asserted gender identities and that parental consent is not required.
The policy states that staff must refer to children by their preferred names and pronouns. However, they are not required “to notify a student’s parents of his or her gender identity or expression.”
According to the state’s learning standards, the district must include instruction in the political, economic, and social contributions of persons living with disabilities, as well as lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. This should be done in a suitable place in both middle and high school curriculums.
John Comegno, the board’s lawyer, stated that parents’ rights “are not to dictate what children are taught, but to decide where they go.”
Comegno stated that public schools have a curriculum that aligns with New Jersey state learning standards.
He said, “But please be aware… If your students attend these amazing schools, they will be instructed in the curriculum which is consistent with state-learning standards.” It’s not a binding agreement. You have the right to send your child elsewhere if you so choose. As a parent, you have the right to make your child attend another school.
“If you have concerns or criticisms about policies or learning standards in New Jersey, you can make them heard. Talk to your elected representatives and go to the NJDOE. But not here. School board members are not in control of what the NJDOE requires or does not require.” he stated.
Fox News Digital reports that the Lawrence Township Board of Education didn’t immediately respond to a request to comment.
