Edison, NJ – In a contentious meeting last night that spanned over five hours, with two hours of impassioned debate, the Edison Board of Education voted 6-3 to repeal Policy 5756, the district’s guidance concerning transgender student identity and expression. The decision marks a significant shift for the Edison Township Public Schools, making it one of the largest and most diverse municipalities in New Jersey to move away from the state-recommended policy.
Policy 5756, which has been a flashpoint in a broader statewide and national debate, aimed to create an inclusive environment for transgender and gender-nonconforming students, notably by allowing students to assert their gender identity without requiring parental consent or notification. Proponents of the policy have consistently argued that it is crucial for protecting the safety and well-being of transgender students, particularly those who may not feel safe or supported discussing their identity at home. They point to studies indicating positive outcomes for transgender individuals who receive affirming support.
However, critics of the policy, who ultimately swayed the majority of the Board, have long maintained that it infringes upon fundamental parental rights by potentially withholding vital information about a child’s well-being from their guardians. The debate often centered on the balance between student autonomy and parental involvement in sensitive decisions regarding a child’s identity. During last night’s lengthy public comment section, both sides presented powerful arguments, reflecting a deeply divided community.
The 6-3 vote to repeal Policy 5756 now tasks the Edison Board of Education with the challenging responsibility of developing a new policy that addresses the needs of transgender students while also attempting to respect parental concerns. This process is expected to be complex and may invite further scrutiny and debate as the Board navigates these competing interests. Voting to repeal Policy 5756 were Board President Jerry Shi, Vice President Vishal Patel, Anjana Patel, Ronak Patel, Ralph Errico and Shannon Peng. Voting against the repeal were board members Joe Romano, Virginia White and Chris Lugo.
Board President Jerry Shi gave the following statement before public comments:
“Repealing Policy 5756 does not mean that school staff will be required to inform parents. At no point would staff be forced to contact parents. Instead, removing the policy allows educators the flexibility to handle each situation thoughtfully, on a case-by-case basis. When a student feels safe enough to share their identity or request a name change with a trusted staff member, that trust should also include confidence that the staff member will act in the student’s best interest—including making a professional judgment not to inform parents, when appropriate. On the other hand, if a student doesn’t trust school staff, they’re unlikely to share that information at all. In either case, repealing the policy puts decision-making back in the hands of educators who are closest to the student and are best positioned to protect and support them—not to harm them. It’s also important to note that repealing Policy 5756 does not remove protections for students. Those who would have been protected under Policy 5756 will still receive the same—let me repeat, the same—legal and policy protections under several other existing district policies:
• Policy 5750 – Equal Educational Opportunity: Guarantees all students equitable access to education in accordance with the law.
• Policy 1140 – Affirmative Action Program: Provides affirmative action protections throughout the school district.
• Policy 5700 – Pupil Rights: Safeguards each student’s rights to education and citizenship.
• Policy 5512 – Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying: Strictly prohibits harassment, intimidation, or bullying of any student.
In addition to these district policies, the school system is fully bound by state and federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any federally funded educational programs or activities. Finally, in accordance with the law, the Superintendent has the authority to implement any procedures necessary to protect the safety and well-being of all students.”
Edison is not the first district in New Jersey to repeal Policy 5756; Old Bridge, another Middlesex County town, did so in February of 2024. The impact of such repeals on transgender students and their families, as well as potential legal challenges from state authorities, remains a significant concern for LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
The outcome of Edison’s decision is likely to be closely watched by other school districts across the state and could potentially set a precedent for future policy discussions on this sensitive issue. The community now awaits the Board’s next steps in crafting a new framework that will shape the experience of transgender students within the Edison Township Public Schools.
