Seeking to escalate parental rights issues going into the November midterm elections, the Republican lawmakers from Ocean County want a special session of the legislature to consider a bill requiring schools to report matters involving students to their parents.
State Sen. Jim Holzapfel (R-Toms River) and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin (R-Toms River) and John Catalano (R-Brick) want a state law that broadly increases transparency between schools and parents, by disclosing such information as a student’s name, birthdate, address, sex and gender, grades, and the status of their physical and mental health.
The Republicans are pushing back on lawsuits filed by Attorney General Matt Platkin against school districts in Manalapan, Middletown, and Marlboro after they approved policies requiring schools to disclose if a student is transgender to the student’s parents.
“The Murphy administration needs to step aside and stop trying to keep parents in the dark about their own children,” said Holzapfel. “Legislators should return to Trenton to vote on our proposed legislation to restore parental rights and prevent the government from getting in between parents and their right to know about their children.”
Attorney General Platkin has argued that informing parents about students’ gender identity could potentially threaten those students’ physical and mental well-being.
Republicans see the lawsuits as judicial overreach, which only drives a wedge between parents and schools.
“It’s ridiculous that while criminals are breaking into homes and stealing cars out of our driveways, the State attorney general continues to focus on identity politics,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco. “This lawsuit is an obstruction of parental rights. Schools should have the ability to implement policies that parents and teachers feel are appropriate for their children. Governor Murphy and the attorney general should not be standing in their way.”
Superior Court Judge David Bauman signed an injunction on the school districts’ policies – meaning that, for now, these new policies will not be in effect when the school year begins.
While the legal battles unfold, there are real political consequences. Education and parental rights have become increasingly potent political issues this cycle.
Earlier this month, the State Board of Education narrowly and controversially approved the state equity code which removes many instances of gendered language. The equity code has galvanized the conservative base and has even led top Democrats to distance themselves from it.
“Telling parents that they have no right to know what’s going on with their children at school is an obstruction of their parental responsibilities,” said Catalano, who is running for mayor of Brick. “Parents need to be informed to make appropriate decisions for their families. Our bill will make sure that parents are informed.”