The Moorestown Board of Education public comment was filled with two very different subjects last week. Parents spoke about the safety and comfort of their children sharing bathrooms and locker rooms with transgender students. Residents also expressed their support of having Interim Superintendent and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Carole Butler as the new superintendent, with no need to hire a search firm.
Butler said the school does not have a policy for transgender students, but is following the federal law that protects their rights under the district’s equality policy. However, the school district is looking into creating a district policy similar to that of the Cherry Hill district.
At last week’s meeting, a number of parents and one student expressed concerns about having students born one gender who identify as the opposite gender, or transgender students, share bathrooms and locker rooms with those who identify with their born genders. Residents talked about students being scared, uncomfortable and embarrassed. Parents also felt it was not appropriate to be exposed to the opposite gender’s anatomy at such a young age and that rights were being violated.
“(My daughter) was offered to use the nurse’s bathroom, but I didn’t feel that was a good option. I felt it was telling her that because she was born female and comfortable in her female body that she had to go somewhere kids go when feeling sick. I didn’t feel that was fair. I didn’t want her to feel bad about wanting privacy and wanting to feel comfortable when she was in the bathroom,” Cindy Mumma said.
“I think our daughters deserve a right to privacy. I just hope those rights are being considered,” Kim Ferrie said.
“There is no answer right now how the school system is going to deal with these issues. I don’t want my 11-year-old daughter having to be exposed to a male body part,” Joe Ruccolo said.
However, citizens who spoke felt the biggest issue was the lack of communication. They felt they were not informed about the school district’s policy on transgender students, which has created some distrust. They asked for open discussions and a policy that works for all students.
“We hope these things are being discussed, to come to some sort of decision where children under these circumstances can use a special room or separate stall, if they are the opposite gender, but thinking they are the other,” Ferrie said.
“I have to be honest, I’m feeling distrust. When you say you aren’t going to discuss what the plans are with the rest of our community … We need answers on this issue. I understand this is a private issue with that child, but it is also a private issue for my daughter,” Ruccolo said.
One parent spoke up for transgender students. Elizabeth Pollard felt appalled at this reaction from some parents and students that night to the school’s handling of transgender students.
“The law protects this child. If your child is uncomfortable then she can go to a different bathroom. But this poor child, how do you think she feels?.. Do you have any idea the heartbreak this child goes through everyday?… I am just mortified that this is what our community feels, I really am,” Pollard said.
According to Butler, the school district is following the law for transgender students. New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination states a person is permitted to use a sex-segregated restroom or locker room they feel is consistent with their gender identity or expression. Restrooms and locker rooms in public schools fall under this law.
Students are provided with four options in the school to use if they feel uncomfortable. Those are using the bathrooms inside the nurse’s office, outside the main office and in the fourth- and fifth-grade wing, as well as going to the bathroom with a buddy. Anyone who is uncomfortable is recommended to speak to administration.
Board Solicitor Arthur Risden said students who identify and are designated as transgender go through a process that includes medical records, doctor opinions and guidance counseling. Legally, if students are identified as transgender, the school cannot say “no” to those students wanting to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify.
Butler also said Supervisor of Guidance Services Kat D’Ambra and middle school Principal Matthew Keith are working on a transition plan for transgender students to discuss between them and the administration that would not be done publicly.
“We are looking for everyone to be safe and well respected under the law,” Butler said.
Butler and BOE President Kathy Goldenberg said they are looking into other districts’ policies on this issue to see if MTPS would like to create a district policy of its own or keep with the current equality policy. Butler has also said a parent group could be formed to have input.
The rest of public comment was in support of having Butler selected as the permanent superintendent and that the board should not approve the hiring of a superintendent search firm.
Goldenberg said the board is interested in finding the best superintendent for MTPS. The board approved appointing a superintendent search firm last week with a 7–2 vote.
Goldenberg felt the search is still necessary, saying that, though they might have the best candidate now, it is best to be sure they get the most qualified candidate for MTPS.
“It is (one of the jobs) we have, to search for the most qualified superintendent. And we may have that, but that is something that bears examination and looking into,” Goldenberg said.
The next BOE meeting will be on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the William Allen Middle School.
