Check. Check. One, two. Check. Check. One, two. Okay, so we're going to start the meeting. Uh, please stand. Flag slope to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one
nation indivisible and justice for all roll call please. Yes. Mr. She here Mr. Vichel Patel here. Miss Pang. Miss
White. Mr. Mr. Romano here. Miss Angina Patel here. Mr. Lugo here. Mr. Ronak Patel. Mr. Erica here. We have a quorum.
Opening statement. Yes. In accordance with the open public meetings act, the Edison Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place there are posted in the board of education administrative offices. Copies of those notices were sent to the Home News Tribune and the Star Ledger. Okay,
as I said, we're going to go to the uh close session first. So, um in accordance with the NGSA section 10.4 hyphen 12, the Edison Board of Education adjourns to confidential session for the purpose of discussing the following.
One, confidential personnel and board matters. Two, pending litigation. Three, student matters. Four, legal matters, contracts. Can I have a motion to go to a privilege session? Motion to go to close session. Second,
Joe and Ralph. Got it. Thank you. Okay. All in favor? I. All right. So, as I said, we'll come back in about half an hour or 45 minutes. Thank you very much. Anybody apologize that uh you know the meeting took a bit longer than I anticipated and
uh you know thank you all for for waiting. Uh so uh can I have a motion to reconvene the public session? Motion. Do I have a second? Second. Okay. All in favor? I I Okay, so uh just a couple
things that we need to uh go through this. Um we're gonna have a public hearing about a lease purchase of J James uh Medicine Intermediate School uh at the um next uh Tuesday's meeting. Uh so we're going to have a hearing on
that. Okay. So u you know, welcome to um participate in that meeting. And the next uh meeting we also have a teacher recognition and we recognize those outstanding teachers and staff that has been working very hard for this school
year. Uh hope that you guys can join as well to uh you know applaud them for what they have done. Okay. So uh uh Dr. Already anything else you wanted to say? Yeah thank you uh very much Mr. Shei. Yeah, on the uh I echo your sentiments
in relationship to uh uh the uh honoring the uh teachers of the year which are coming up on Tuesday as well as our support staff. We are uh in uh on the conclusion of teacher appreciation week. Uh and this week we are actually there is a resolution on the agenda honoring
um and acknowledging special education week. Uh also on this agenda too under the administrative section for the board. Uh on Tuesday's meeting, you'll be approving um an affirmative actions team which will be creating a needs assessment related to the development of a comprehensive equity plan. Uh also uh
on this agenda is uh the ever popular summer hours which we're actually doing in May as opposed to June. I know Miss Campion is probably very excited about that, but uh summer hours are now uh published and up for approval for the board of education. Uh in relationship to curriculum, the only agenda item
currently are our field trips. Uh also underneath of the administrative section is our special education services for our out of district placements. Um we have uh policy first readings um which actually concludes the uh audit that was
done in 2023. We have um just a couple public service announcements if you don't mind, Mr. Shei. Um, many of you uh may have gotten a uh email today in relationship to subscription busing. The deadline is June 17th. So, if you are
interested in uh acquiring a bus uh for the upcoming school year and you meet the eligibility requirements, please uh make sure that you fill out that information that has been provided to you. All the details are listed in the correspondence that went out today. Um,
we had a really great meeting, uh, our first meeting with the education foundation, uh, last week. Uh, it was, uh, was it last week? I'm losing track of time, Mr. Yeah. Okay. Uh, yeah, it was absolutely fantastic. We had a really great showing. Uh, it was, uh,
extremely exciting to see so many individuals that were coming out to support our schools in a very different way. Um, so we're really excited about that. We're going to have a June meeting, a second information meeting, uh just to kind of inform the community in relationship to what the foundation
is, what it's going to support, and uh opportunities for participation and uh our goal and target is to launch that foundation in September. Uh and that will be a completely separate body obviously from the board of education. It will support board of education goals, but it will run independently. It
will have its own board of directors, trustees, uh uh chair and vice chair. Uh, and last but not least, we are we're in the final stretch, right? We're in the home stretch currently. Right now, we got a few weeks left of school. Uh, we are wrapping up NJSLA testing. Uh,
just a special shout out to all of our, um, our secondary students who are probably in the midst, I know that my high school uh, son is, of taking exams right now. Hopefully, he is home studying, which I'm relatively confident that he is not. Um, but hopefully he is,
or pretending to. uh and uh for those students taking exams and AP tests. So uh that actually concludes my report, Mr. She. Okay. Thank you very much. So I am going to change the order of what we're going to do slightly today because we have two items that we need to vote
on first. One is personnel, the other is finance. Uh it's about the uh MOA with one of our unions and uh the personnel item is about a a payroll supervisor. So, uh, now I'm going to open up public
comments for those two items only. So, if you're going to talk about anything else, you stay. We we'll we'll allow you to to speak that. So, if anyone has any comments for the personnel and finance, please go there. See none. Can I have a motion to
close public comments? Motion to close. Second. Okay. All right. So, uh, can I have a motion to motion to adopt the finance motion? Yes. Motion to adopt. Okay. Do I have a second? Second. Okay. Roll call,
please. Yes. Personnel and finance. Personnel and finance. Personel and finance. Personal and finance. Thank you very much. I was like, wait a second. Are we doing this one? I thought we got So, Mr. President, finance. You want to do separate? We do separate. No. Yeah. Like two. I like two at once,
right? Consolidation. We got a motion by Mr. Eric. I have second by Michelle. Thank you so much. All right, Mr. Ero. Yes. Mr. Ronak Patel, yes. Mr. Lugo, no.
Miss Ana Patel, yes. Mr. Romano, no on both. Miss White. Um, okay. Is there anything that I have to recuse myself from? No. Okay. So, I'm a Yes. No. On the on finance. Yes. On
the on the f we do finance. Yes, we do. And I I have ready that I already have it noted what you have it noted. Thank you so much. You know I got you. Come on. It's not all just great hair. Okay, good for you. Miss Pang, yes. Mr. Vichel Patel, yes. President Shay, yes.
Motion carries. So, um, okay. So, we have a new payroll supervisor. Congratulations. Congratulations. Welcome to the team. You You have the podium. You have want to say a couple words if you prefer. It's your call.
Just want to say thank you. No, no, you don't have to. You don't have to. Mr. We appreciate you being here. Mr. She uh sauce or gravy? Sauce. Sauce. Okay. So, uh you know, if you don't want to stay, you can feel free to to leave.
I will open up the the room for some other people. Okay. Yes. Yes. Now you I have to tell you go your your title and and thank you everybody. My name is Nicole
Cerillo. I am the proud principal of Woodbrook Elementary School but tonight I am here as the vice president of the Edison Principles and Supervisors Association. So thank you
Hey. Um, so on behalf of the Edison Principles and Supervisors Association, I want to extend our sincere thanks to the board of education for approving our contract. We truly appreciate the time,
the collaboration, and the thoughtful consideration that went into the process. We would also like to thank Dr. Alderelli, Dr. Hus, and Mr. to for the time, the energy, and the commitment in helping us reach this agreement. As the leaders who work each day to uphold the
district's mission and vision and strategic plan while ensuring the well-being of our staff, supporting our families, and nurturing the education of all our beautiful children, your beautiful children. Um, we're grateful to your recognition of our contributions. So, thank you so much for
your partnership and your continued support of our work in our beautiful district. Thank you so much. I uh just have to make a quick comment on that. Uh I'd like to thank my colleagues um Mr. Eric uh Mrs. Pen and
uh Ronic Patel for uh working with me uh to uh you know on the negotiation uh so we're able to uh you know quickly got get got to the end point and a lot of time has been spent um by uh these guys
besides whatever the other committees so I really appreciate uh all your effort it's uh you know not unnoticed. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. So now um we're open for uh the
public comments on policies. I think most of you guys are here for that. So um who wants to lead? Open. You want to go? Okay. Go ahead. Yes. Name and address. Uh I just Yeah. I just wanted to say today we have a lot of people. So I am going to uh you
know uh do the six minute rule. Before we were a little bit relaxed on the six minutes. So let's try to finish six minutes and uh you know at the end of six minutes I will have to stop you because we have a lot of people and I want to give everybody the opportunity to speak and don't have to go home at 2
o'clock in the morning. So uh I'm going to be a little bit strict today on a six-minute rule. Okay. So with that said, go ahead and name my Right. Thank you. My name is Kim Lley. I'm a resident of Ben Alban, a former special education teacher, a mom, and a taxpayer. I am here tonight to speak for those who are
unable. As a former teacher, I could not imagine being in the position where many teachers are today. One becomes a teacher because they love children. This career may be chosen because it's not only a job, it's their passion. Teachers play a vital role in that of students. Elementary students favorite people are
usually mom, dad, and their teacher. What a teacher says and how an teacher interacts with students has long lasting impact. Teachers not only impact a child's academics, but they also can influence a child's emotions. A key component of the child's educational needs being met is the relationship the
teacher has with their parents. Policy 5756 is destructive to teacher parent relationship. Teachers are not required to tell parents if their child is or has changed their gender identity. A separate file is kept sent down to the state is recognized in school as a new
gender identity. Um the social the school social worker can act in place of the parent when the parent is in favor of the new gender identity. Parents are kept in the dark of this alternate life uh alternate life of their child in school. A child as young as five is able
to determine when to tell mom or dad. A doctor's note is not required for a child to change their identity. How does this make any sense? Policy 5756 is a schoolboard policy that is divisive to the family unit. This policy creates division within the school
community. Uh the clear lines of communication are broken with policy 5756. It has been proven that when a teacher and parent work together, the students benefits. Students who have parental involvement tend to have less behavioral problems, less absenteeism, more
involvement in school activities. When teachers have parental involvement, their benefit as well. These benefits of clear communication lines with the parents are less homework problems, less absenteeism, more precious time teaching than addressing behavioral issues. As a former teacher, it would be hard to
choose between my profession and my faith. Parents are given as a gift from God. How can a teacher How, as a teacher, can you navigate such a fine line when school board policies conflict with your morals as a teacher? What do you do? Now, a teacher is distracted with this policy instead of his or her
full attention on spying their students to learn. The harassment, bullying, intimidation policies already in place. Also, teachers are courtmandated reporters that must report when a child appears to be in danger. Please resend policy 5756. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
Who's next? Okay, go ahead. Name address, please. Yes. My my name is Lydia and um I'm from Edison. and I'm a constituent in Edison. Um, good evening and I want to thank you all for hearing our messages today. I can you make the microphone? Oh, I'm so
sorry. No, no problem. I can hear you. The people on the So, the other lady behind if you want to sit. We have seats here. Okay. Um, so um I work as a mental health clinician um in a job that often helps families in crisis. It is important for
clients to have trust in their counselor and especially in a school setting. According to a study by the Trevor Project done in 2024 surveying LGBT plus people between the ages of 13 and 24, 26% of
transgender and non-binary students have seriously considered attempting suicide. These crises often come about when they feel trapped in situations where they cannot be who they are safely. If a student cannot trust the
school faculty and administration to call them by the name they would like to use without their parents being notified, how can they be expected to trust their teachers or counselors when they are experiencing a life-threatening emergency? The parents who wish to
abolish a policy 5756 may have concerns and good intentions, but not allowing LGBT plus students to have privacy as they learn to understand themselves can put children's lives at
risk. We may not know what environment a child comes home to, but we must create a space where they feel safe for the hours that they are in school. I urge you not to ab abolish policy
5756 to help these children make it to adulthood to the transgender and non-binary individuals in this room. Um, and I actually this comment is also um to the youth. If the adults in power
fail to protect you today, know that you are loved, you are strong, and it gets better. Trans and non-binary people have always existed and will always exist. We have survived so much worse and we will
continue to survive. And it is important that you do so, too. You have allies all over this country. If anything I've talked about today rings true for you or if you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Trevor Project or text
chat them on their website if you don't have a phone or a safe space to speak verbally. Their phone number is 8664887386. If you're experiencing a crisis in which you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. And to the parents today who are
struggling with this topic, you are not alone. I understand you may be scared for your child and how the world may treat them. The most important thing that you can do is show unconditional love and acceptance to your child and to
help them through these difficult times. Even if you disagree with some of the things I've said today, we all have a common goal of keeping children in our community alive and well. I encourage you to reach out to P Flag, which provides support to family and friends
of the LGBT plus community. They also have resources that discuss how allyship is congruent with religion if this is something you're struggling with or would like to learn more about. Thank you all for your time and for your listening ear. Let's all work together
to keep these children safe. Thank you for your time. Go ahead. No, you Sorry. Got my phone to remember what I want to say. take your time. Just pull the microphone a little bit closer. Of
course. Thank you. Um, thank you for um allowing us to speak today. Yes. My name is Danielle Bruno and I am a resident of Colonia, New Jersey, also in Milex County. Um
I'm I'm opposed to the abolishment of policy 5756 because as a teacher myself um in a district not too far away from here um teachers are mandated reporters. We should not we should be protecting and
not putting children in harm's way. Keeping children safe requires um the acknowledgement that kids need to feel safe with us. And if we're violating their privacy, we cannot allow a child to be safe with
us. As a teacher, I've had to make calls to CPS and DC CMP before. And that's because of the relationship I have worked to build with my students to protect them. Kids need to figure themselves out on
their own terms. Unfortunately, that means sometimes we have to relinquish a little bit of control that we might want to have over our children. Even I don't can't control a kid to sit down still when I want them to. I'm a teacher. I know how it works.
But I have to trust that my chi that the child that I am entrusted to care for can come and talk to me about what's going on and they feel confident and protected in my
care. Also, it makes no sense for us to be abolishing this um meas this policy when it's already on the books that LGBTQ history is meant to be taught to six to mil sixth grade to high school
age students. We can't be teaching this history while also taking away its future. So, as an educator, um I implore you to think of students first. And unfortunately, it is very
scary to admit that we don't always know what our children are thinking. We're not in their brains. We're not in their heads. Trust me, I wish I knew sometimes what my students were thinking. But at the end of the day, we have to trust that they feel confident and safe with
us to come to us to talk to us. And if they and if I read the policy correctly, it doesn't it require you to it says you may not address it with your with the
parent. It's up to teacher discretion. Teachers often have to make choices that they are stressed to make about whether a parent is a safe individual to talk to about even behavioral issues because we
don't want to put these children in harm's way. We want to protect these kids because the school safety is the number one priority of education today. more even just making sure our kids know their mathematics and their
and their um ELA. We need to make sure that these kids feel safe and confident when they come to school to show a big smile and to feel that they are welcomed in their in this space. I know it's scary. I know. And we're in very unprecedented times right
now. But I implore you to think how would you feel if the chance to be able to talk to somebody on your own terms is taken from you. So please do not
abolish rule uh policy 5756. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. You're you're next, ma'am. Yes. Okay. Beth Taly, 15 Midwood Avenue, Edison,
New Jersey. Um, I know you guys are making a big vote tonight on this policy and I understand that all of you board members are volunteers, but you have a lot of people here that want to share their
experiences, their thoughts on this and public is watching and it would be appropriate if everybody was paying attention to what these people came here to say tonight. It's a little disheartening sitting in this audience and watching people. I
know you have lives and this is a volunteer job, but right now you should be giving all of these people who gave their time to come here tonight to voice their opinions the respect to listen to them and look at them and listen to what they have to say. Whether whatever your
opinion is on this policy right now, you should be acting as board members. This is a big policy for people and their opinions on it matter and they should be given the respect that they should be looked at and not just doing other work instead of
listening to what these people have to say. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, you're next. You're next. Okay. You're you're after that. Hello, I'm Dr. Laura Patron. I am from Miltown, New Jersey. Um, I am also a
straight cisgendered woman and ally, a devout ally. I am also blessed to have a daughter who feels comfortable coming to me to tell me that she is a member of the LGBTQ community
and I know that that is not common. I have two purposes for my presence. I want to ask the rationale for the abolishment of the policy
5756 and I want to appeal to the board to reconsider this action and as such I'd like to clarify a few reasons that I feel are important to consider in retaining it.
focusing on um the student well-being and safety, mental health. Um this policy studies show that transgender youth, as has been said, face significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and
suicidal ideiation. And I personally know at least three people who are transgender and have dealt with this. This is not just a statistic. It's a reality. This
policy, policies like 5756 aim to prevent discrimination and harassment, ensuring that all students feel safe at school. Creating a safe and affirming
school environment is crucial to their emotional well-being. When a student feels safe and supported, they are more likely to thrive academically. In regard to um anti-discrimination laws, there are
laws. The New Jersey's law against discrimination protects students from discrimination based on gender identity. Schools have a legal obligation to provide equal educational opportunities for all students regardless of their
gender identity. As far as ethical responsibilities, educators have a responsible a responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment for all
students and addressing this common concern about parental rights. Parental rights, parental involvement is very important, but it is also crucial to protect students from potential harm.
There are many homes that do not support this and I know of people who have been discharged from their homes for their gender identity.
Okay. In some cases, forcing students to disclose their gender identity to unsupportive parents, as I just said, can have devastating consequences. It is important to note that policy 5756 does
not stop all parent notification. It is there to protect children in situations where they are not safe to be outed. It's a very different thing than
saying you can't or you must not. So, in closing, policy 5756 is designed to protect transgender and gender non-conforming students in
New Jersey schools. for the love of all that is good. Why would you want to take away this and send a message to the community that it is okay to bully, harass, and otherwise keep all students safe at
school? Thank you. Thank you. Yes. Go ahead. Please move the microphone up a little bit. Thank you. Yep. Hi, my name is Cal Reinhardt. I am a resident of uh North Brunswick and uh I'm here today as a labor advocate, as a transgender man and
a parent of no children, but uncle to many. New Jersey state law and the labor movement know that acceptance and inclusion of transgender individuals is essential to their happiness, well-being, and ability to function in the workplace. I can say that my
transition was made so much easier by the open and warm acceptance of my co-workers who I was able to come out out to on my terms when I was ready. The same is true for transgender kids in school. They should be worrying
about their homework, not being distracted by being misgendered or excluded doing to be uh due to being transgender or worrying or whether uh about whether or not their family uh will accept them or even keep them in the home um because a teacher they
trusted was forced to inform their parents before before they were ready. Gender identity is not dangerous. It is not drugs. It is a normal facet of being a human being. It is self-exploration. It is expression. It is
self-love. And that it is something that kids deserve to explore in a safe and accepting environment. The board has voted on this issue several times. They have been informed by teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, students themselves, and
their parents and the facts of science itself that and that this policy is necessary to protect them. I hope that you will all vote to put transgender kids first and that to protect their liberty
to explore and express their gender identity in a safe place to keep policy 5756 and that this is the last year that it's brought to a vote. Thank you. Thank you. Um my name is Jennifer Silva. I'm from
North Edison. Um, sorry emotional. I have three kids in Edison schools. One of which when she's trans and every day she goes out, I worry about her wellbeing.
She's just I love her so much. I love all of my children, but I especially worry about her. And I worry about how she'll be perceived in in uh public and all that
stuff. Not not because I'm ashamed of her, but because of her safety. She is doing amazing at JP. She is awesome. She's lovely. She's sweet. She's involved in so many clubs and I
feel like making this um changing this and making it I don't know how many of you have children in the school system but know that some of them are not telling you that they are LGBTQ because they come to my house and they tell me that they're afraid to tell
their parents. So making it available to have them in a safe environment. I don't want my kid worrying about all these things that she doesn't have to. I want her to focus on her studies. She's an A student. She is amazing. But making it so that she can't
be called by the name she wants, that she can't um use a non um a non-gender specific bathroom, um that she has to go in the boys. I'm afraid she's going to get her butt kicked. I'm afraid that things are going to happen. I'm afraid that she's going to
be because we're telling the kids, "Hey, this doesn't matter. It doesn't count. We're taking it off." That's that's not okay. I I love my child and like any parent, I fight for what is their
um their ability to be themselves anywhere. And I got to say when when she told me this, I was like, whoa, that blew my mind. raised very strict, very strict Christian and all this stuff, but
nothing is more important than my child, my children, and the love I have for them. So, I want to make sure that it's not just the sis child, the um regular
person that's, you know, heteronormative, I guess you call it, um that's getting the ability to be called the name they want. I remember in school a kid being his name was like Peter and he wanted to be called Jacob. Nobody questioned that. So why would you question my child being wanting to be
called the name that she feels is hers and that we have um given um allowed her to choose. Also um putting it and saying that uh you know the school needs to be able to tell the parents that that's putting an onus on the school for your
relationship with your child. You need to work through it and talk to your child. You need to go after and pursue them a relationship with them, not put the onus on the school. We are parents. We love our children. Please, um, as someone who lives here,
has lived here for at least a decade, has three children, one who's gone through it, two that are still there, please just continue to keep my child happy and focusing in school on what she needs to do and not worrying about
things that she doesn't need to. We have plenty of time to get into the real world where people are super against her. Um, in some studies they say, um, I was reading some, um, studies four times more likely to commit suicide. Some
studies go up to 19 times more likely to commit suicide. 19. I don't know about you, but I don't care if it's a it's a she, he, it, them, they, whatever. That is my child. I will love them and support them in any way. And to keep just a simple thing like safety in
school and their ability to be themselves in school is such a simple thing that takes nothing. It takes nothing from us. And that's what I have to say. Thank you. Thank you very much. I heard I saw someone on over on along this wall
raised their hand before. Okay. So yes. Okay. Hello, my name is Grayson. Um, I'm from Matuchiniter. There you go. Thank you. There we go. Hi. Uh, thank you all for taking the
time to hear uh what all of these lovely people have to say. Um, and keeping open ears to things that might be new to some people in this room. I uh I've lived a lot of places in my
life, especially as a young kid, and I am so proud that New Jersey is one of the safest places to be trans. The fact that I get to to live
here and be here and contribute to my community is such a gift. When you are a child and you trust an adult, that is something very
precious because you get a lot of people who look at you and don't think that your your brain's fully formed. That means you're not quite a person yet. But every child is an individual and every child is a fully formed person
every day. to be able to trust an adult and share something with them that is so near and dear to your heart. Or is maybe just something you're figuring out. Maybe you just want to see how it
feels. If you can't talk to your parent about that, but you can talk to a teacher, that is something beautiful and that is something that should be treasured and protected. Like this wonderful mother over here
mentioned, the school is not responsible for the relationship that you have with your children. The school is responsible for making them feel safe and loved and like they are in an environment in which they can learn and
thrive. There is nothing like feeling betrayed by someone you have put that precious trust in. So in order in order to to mandate that a teacher break that trust
with a child, they're at an age where that hits them foundationally much deeper than than it would for you or me who have had more experience in being hurt
and deceived. This policy allows teachers to protect that trust and allows students to have a dialogue with an adult so that they may be brave enough to have that
conversation with their parents and be pleasantly surprised when it's all okay. So, thank you again for taking the time to listen and um as as Calhur pointed out, sincerely hope that the children of
uh in Edison public schools do not have to worry again that this privacy may be taken from them. They have a world to grow up in and I'm grateful that we get to show them that. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Any other anybody else? Oh. Oh, okay. All right. So, you're next. No. Uh, in the back.
Hi, my name is Lang Chill. I live in the 129 Oakwood Avenue, Edison. Uh I'm like uh 25 years resident here and I have two kids in the public u in Addison public school. I came here to support abol
abolish you know the 57 56 um I just remember when my daughter when she was six years old she came to me she has an older brother she look up at her brother but everything her brother does karate she went to doesn't want to dance
right and one day she came to me said mom I want to be a boy I said why I said I just want to be boy is so Cool. So I told her, "Sorry, Ailia, you cannot be a boy cuz God made you a girl. We cannot
change that." And besides, I already have a boy. I don't want to have want another boy. Okay. See, okay. Then all the past 10 years, she grew up like a beautiful girl. She used
don't want to wear dress. Now she she like to dress long hair. She enjoy it. My point is here um I totally respect you know LGBTQ community or transgender what they're thinking but as parents you need to ask
why they want to be a transgender why they want to be another um identity why right nobody why they just say they want to be but do you ask why I read an article it says you know
usually the born always uh um you know um LGBTQ whatever gay or lesbian usually happen three four years old after that most is influenced by the social
influence you know it's not they they born with it right so I noticed that this past 10 years you can see from the social media from the TV drama They're promoting this and our young
kids they're confused. Do they really want to be a transgender and cut their healthy part to become something they cannot be really be? So ask yourself, right? You cut your healthy
part, you can become another opposite sex for real. Nobody tell them truth. The youngest kid I read the report to go through the surgery only 10 or 12. Why
why this country allowed that happen right? They're so young and you gave them that use blocker to block them normally grill. That's
insane. No other country does this, right? It's really harm for the young kids and one day they regret it. No. Are they going to change back? No
way. I read a report research says 96% the transgender they regret. Right? So as a parents you have to think about this and can parents keep in the
dark. I know the school we give them the best education but why don't you leave give the parents a right to tell them isn't the parents supposed to the first person to talk to your kids if they have
emotional um confusion or change parents some parents might be very extreme parents need education too right they need co keep you know openminded and talk to their kids. But always kids
supposed to be the first, you know, parents supposed to the first safe harbor for their for their kids no matter what emotion issue they they run into. If the parents cannot deal with it, yeah, parents need education school.
I agree that you want to keep the kids safe. We all want to, right? But you cannot use this policy set parents as an enemy to their kids or you cannot tell your parents not safe.
You cannot go to your parents your parents were against it. Why? Why you think that way? Either parents supposed love more than other people does for your
kids. Well, at least you know like other I I don't remember who said that school is supposed to be a bridge, right? If you you you if you see some issues with the kids, you're supposed to call the parents the first beginning telling them
what the situation, right? But you can warn the parents, right? I give it some little education how to deal with it. I think that's the right way. But you cannot say parents, you cannot tell, oh you your
parents were against it. assume your parents will say no. But at least parents can do more open discussion with their kids and find out why it because born with it or they just
because someone tell them it's cool to be transgender or cool to be a boy or girl. Isn't that supposed to be the way? Why sep? Sorry, time is up. Okay.
Thank you. [Applause] I'm part of the 4%. I just I just want to mention, please let the speakers each finish before the next speaker comes up. No commenting or talking in the audience when someone's up at the microphone.
Thank you. Okay. Mrs. Oh, okay. Can I just ask a procedural question? Brett, good evening. Brett Baker. Uh, I live in Edison, New Jersey. Um, I first need to address that when I was in middle school, I was told smoking was cool. I
uh became a smoker much many years later, but it was not because I was told it was cool. Uh, as a middle schooler, I played Grand Theft Auto a lot. Um, and as a 39year-old male, I'm not a serial killer or anything like that. So, I refuse to accept that the media influences anybody, but here we are.
Good evening, board members and fellow community members. As I said, my name is Brett Baker. I live in Edison and my pronouns are he, him. I stand here as an advocate and an ally, but also as a husband, a parent, a former educator, and school leader of 15 years, and someone deeply committed to both my children and the educational environment we're collectively building here in
Edison. Our son is a nail polishwearing first grader at James Monroe and I don't share that because I think it's important. I just think it's cool and it's part of him. And our she'll proudly say three and a half yearear-old's daughter will soon join him there. So we have someone speaking so be
respectful with the other uh speakers. Thank you. Sorry Brett. Thank you Jerry. As I said my son our son is a nail polishw wearing first grader James Monroe and our she'll probably say three and a half yearear-old daughter will join him there soon. I don't say this lightly. I no longer
feel safe in the school district. I no longer feel my son is safe in the school district. I no longer feel my daughter will be safe in the school district. And quite honestly, the email my wife sent to you all this evening or this afternoon I know will go unread by many of you. And I no longer feel that she is safe. I say these words with a heavy
heart, having thought carefully about them for the past 48 hours. I choose my words carefully. And I say these words because it seems that this board does not care about my children's rights. You see, unlike the board that sits in front of me, I sought to understand the perspective of those who support the repeal of policy
5756. I tried to find out who I could talk to, but I've got to be honest. Since Jerry, Ralph, and Ronic have not yet submitted their financial disclosures for their campaign, I can't find the names of people donating enough money to possibly have significant enough influence to influence district policy. So, I spoke to some board
members, board members who indirectly said they don't care about my children's rights. And I stress indirectly because nobody said it directly, but it can be inferred that they don't care about my children's rights or the rights of other children. That in the matter of a student's gender identity and their right to identify themselves, the parents quote right to know trumps a student's right to determine it
themselves and to determine who knows and when they know. Much of what I'm about to say I shared in October, but apparently and frustratingly it needs to be repeated again. It is neither melodramatic nor hyperbolic to say that the one expectation I've had consistency consistently of this board since I moved to Edison in 2016 and began attending
these meetings was to ensure that the board and district leadership gathered the input of all and I stress all stakeholders involved in making any decision. And I will always draw the line when it comes to something that impedes on the rights of my children or other children. You all claim to have the best interest of children in mind yet have allowed the rhetoric in this
town about this issue to devolve into such a horrifying state. The pure misinformation is staggering and appalling. Quite honestly, the parent shaming has become disgusting. You are a board elected to oversee the direction of the school district, not to make determinations about what I need to do as a parent of my child. You don't have
that right to say it's my responsibility to know everything my child is doing. As far as I can tell, New Jersey says I have to make sure my child attends school or a school equivalent from the age of 6 to 16. Period. You are out of bounds trying to dictate any other parental responsibilities from up on the dis. I need this board and future boards
to understand that in the wake of a global pandemic, we have academic learning outcomes that still need to improve dramatically and urgently. I need this board and future boards to understand that the threat of gun violence is very real and our entire world say nothing about the threat of gun violence in our schools. I need this board and future boards to take
seriously that the teaching profession and working in schools is a difficult one and one that is grossly underpaid, grossly undervalued, and grossly underappreciated. I say all that because I've been asked before that this is the priority that we should be addressing right now. seems wrong. Repealing policy
5756 without a reasonable effort to protect via another policy students, teachers, and school staff remains grossly negligent. I need this board and I need future boards and I need everyone to understand that every child, no matter their age, no matter their gender, no matter their race, ethnicity
or religion, and certainly, most certainly not their sexual orientation or gender identity, every child, regardless of all of those things, deserves as a basic right, the right to be loved, the right to be cared for, the right to be understood, and the right to feel safe every day when they walk into school. by taking away a child's right
to make the decision about who knows what about themselves is the antithesis to what any educational institution should stand for say nothing about this body. It is the antithesis to the very notion of free choice and free thought. It is the antithesis to the academic direction of the school district which seeks to prepare all students regardless
of their identity for a college or career of their choice. And it's disrespectful to this parent. It's downright disrespectful to this parent who believes that all children have rights. And while access to those rights may make me uncomfortable at times and I have to learn a little bit more sometimes. And while I may have questions at times,
that means I need to lean into that discomfort and learn more, seek out more information, seek to understand, and then and only then make a decision that follows research and study after study after study. Our students and our community members deserve a board that models respect and sound decision-making
and a process that values their input and voices. Yet this board's current actions suggest an alarming disregard for the students we are all here to serve in the trust placed in you. One board member that I spoke with shared and another board member and I quote talks to people and those people want
this repealed. So my question is this, how do I join this exclusive group of Edison parents and residents who get to influence policy so directly and concretely? Which WhatsApp group do I need to join? Where do I send my campaign check? I wasn't able to attend the pulse meetings that were so beautifully orchestrated, but I've heard
that this wasn't discussed at either of those meetings. If this isn't being discussed at the pulse meetings, what's the point of a pulse meeting? Isn't the point of it to gather parent feedback and ideas? The trust parents in this district places in and on your on you demands thoughtful, inclusive policies and a commitment to every student's
rights. Please prioritize those rights and refocus on the work that will uplift and protect every child in our schools. You weren't elected to win elections. You were elected to protect my children and every other child in this district. In closing, I urge this board to remember the trust placed in you by our
community, to remember that you represent every child in this district and every parent in this district, and to vote no on any effort to repeal policy 5756 tonight. Thank you. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle in
Edison. I've been in Edison for over 40 years as a resident, as a parent, as a teacher, as a board of education member, and my latest goal is a
grandparent. And my fear is we've gotten out of order. The number one thing that I get up here every January and say to the new people elected,
remember, you are not elected to run this board, this district. You were elected to make sure it was run well by the administration. And as I was on the
board, we were broken up into different committees and each committee took their job very seriously. One of them being the policy committee, which I thank God
I was never on because I substituted once and I wanted to rip my eyes out. But I took it that the people that were on that committee were willing to do that. And when they came back and
they answered questions, I had full trust in them that they did the research and I accepted what they said was the right decision. That was in
2019. And as time goes on, nothing came up. And then all of a sudden in 24, it came alive. And there was another committee that was
established in that year to look into it. They made a decision and at that point in time all hell broke loose. So I went in even though I didn't
want to and I read each and every word of that policy numerous times so I could understand it. And then I went and I questioned it. There was things that I had questions about in that
policy. And luckily the person I spoke to was able to give me the answers that I needed to hear that our children would be safe, that they would be treated with
respect, and they could go about their education in the proper way. And that's what the job of the administration is to do. I'm appalled that this is back on the docket
again. If it was decided at one point, it was talked about at another point. The only thing I can think of is it a very important election year. Is that what your ideal of this is to do?
We bring people here honest and true talking about their feelings and how they feel about it and it makes me feel very comfortable and I thank you for sharing and people have a right to say
their opinion but as a board you need to understand what your committee says find out and do your own research and do the right thing and it's not politics. Thank
you. Anybody [Applause] else? My name is Jennifer Woodruff and I am a prior resident of Edison and I live in Marboro. Now, thank you very much board for your time and efforts. uh you've been entrusted with a paramount
responsibility that includes deciding on what policies and what curriculum should be implemented in this district and that is a big undertaking. I've spoken against the transgender 5756 policy in the past
meetings. It is divisive and it's discriminatory. It puts labels on children and gives special rights to some at the expense of others. and it is deceptive to parents and puts teachers in an unfair place. But it's not just the policy
that's troublesome to me. It is the direction that we are heading. The 5756 policy needs to be abolished to send a message to the teachers union and our state government to stop interfering with our children's upbringing and moral standards while keeping parents out of
the equation. The government seems to think they know what is best for our children and the parents are clueless or they are the problem. Why are we teaching children as early as second grade and maybe even earlier? That there is a smorgish board
of genders when we know that there are only two genders and that will never change. We are filling little children's heads with gender ideology at a time when they are impressionable and little sponges and so trusting of their teachers.
Why are we teaching something that is not true and can only be a source of confusion and anxiety? And we're seeing that in children. Why? We're be we're a big cause for this rise in gender confusion. The curriculum is being sprinkled with gender ideology and not
just in the health class. Gender studies are in social studies curriculum and math problems using boys, girls, and binary children for examples. Why we are to blame for the rise in this confusion? Why are we sexualizing our children in fifth grade? We are giving them
information on all kinds of sexual acts and preferences at an age when they are not emotionally or intellectually able to handle it. In 8th grade, nothing is left to the imagination. Why do our schools have days, weeks, and even months celebrating
LGBTQ++? We are encouraging and celebrating gender confusion. We are responsible when children continue down a destructive path of puberty blockers and cross- sex hormones and irreversible surgery. Why is the state trying to pass laws where children as young as 16 can
have access to medical and mental health assistance without parental knowledge? The state wants to establish health centers on school grounds, making it easy for students to access health services without parental consent or involvement.
But this is only a small list of what's going on with going on in the public schools in our state. I am sure there is much more that is developing behind the scenes. This is government overreach and it must stop. The government and unions
are interfering with the raising of our children and our grandchildren, their moral beliefs and values and is only going to get worse. I believe that enough townships resin this 5756 policy, it'll send a message to the state that they have gone too
far. Our children are protected with Latin anti-bullying laws. Having a separate transgender policy only serves to tell children that you can change your gender. Loving a child is telling them the truth.
Thank you for listening and your time for the betterment of the township schools, the welfare of our township's children, and ultimately all children. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. Uh good evening and namaste all. uh this like uh my statement is not at all
related with the policy but because it's teachers appreciation month I thought of uh taking uh one moment to just share what we do every year for the teacher excuse me so this is for the resolution only so you can wait for something
that's not related to the policy okay I'll wait then thank you very much I'm sorry thank you for the Yes. Hello, my name is Camille Silva. I'm a resident of North Edison, sophomore at John P. Stevens High School. I have stage fright. I don't
like talking to big groups of people, but I feel like it's important that as a trans student here, it my view and um my view should probably be important to hear. I've just been taking notes uh while listening and would like to talk
about just some things. Now, I transitioned in roughly seventh eighth grade about three years ago. Uh, I am a girl and have been using the girl's bathroom for just as long now. First point, why why do you
think you're a girl? Well, if you were born a woman and continued to be a woman for the rest of your life. If somebody called you man, it'd feel a little unnatural, a little jarring. Same thing for me. I don't It doesn't feel right. And so, I changed.
Now, if this policy were to be abolished, I'd have to either a go to the men's room, which is both uncomfortable for me and probably the men there, or travel halfway across the school to go to the counselor's office,
which, as you can imagine, have you seen how big John P. Stevens is? That takes so long. I would not like to do that. Please. Now the point of oh there are only two genders. Gender and sex different things. Sex is what you're born with.
Gender is what you feel. Also interex people. Now uh they're infiltrating our education system with gender studies and math. And first of all in math we're learning how to graph how to graph cosine
functions. We're not learning gender plus gender the last time. And in social studies, we learned about like gay people during civil rights for a week. That's that's about it. Um, the vast
majority of people are not getting surgeries at 12 years old. I have been trans for three years. I am not getting surgeries. That is wildly inaccurate. And lastly, please site your sources. Thank you. Thank
you. Anybody else? Yes. My name is Gerald Mloio, Dolores Turo Foundation, U Neptune. Um, I'd like to begin with a a message to our friends in the LGBT community. Uh, we're not your enemy. We're parents that love our
children and we love you, too. And we want the best for you. You are created by a God that knows you intimately and loves you passionately. You are perfect just the way you are. And God has your life has great meaning and purpose. And you don't
have to change a thing about your body. You just need to seek God's will for your life and to follow it. And you will know peace, joy, and love. Um I'd like to just say a few things um just about the suicide. I've provided this uh board
with the factual um research that discusses suicide. And the research shows that um a person that transitions is 19 times more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the population. Those are the facts. you've seen the
research and you've seen the um uh the studies that go with it. Um in addition uh I'd like to say that parents are the primary protective factor for children and research shows that uh they also are primary protective for um of preventing
suicide. Um then I'd like to get into um the policy to kind of update. You've seen a lot of my stuff in the past, but I'd like to bring you up to date on the administration's statement uh regarding transgender um issues from Washington.
Quote, "Schools and university will lose federal funds if you allow men to invade women's sports and women's spaces. This applies to our whole K through2 system." The Department of Justice is also coordinating with state and local enforcement to fight child abuse in our
school system. It is child abuse to change a child's gender, particularly if you do not inform the parents, which is a gross violation of parental rights. Castration surgeries, castration drugs,
sterilization treatment of children violates sound medical ethics. They are completely unwarranted. They harm children for life irreversibly. It's child abuse and it's child medical malpractice. Um, I wanted to point out
from the American College of Pediatrics and the Academy of Medical Ethics, uh, that transition affirmation is not proven to be safe or effective long term. It does not reduce suicides. It does not repair mental issue uh, health
issues or trauma. Minors can not truly give informed consent. Children have developing, as you've heard, an immature brains. Their minds change office often. They are prone to risk-taking. They are vulnerable to peer pressure and they don't grasp long-term consequences. And
according to this American uh pediatric group, gender affirming care is a euphemistic phrase that support supporters of sex change medications and surgeries apply to the evil that they commit. In their minds, children should be able to decide whether they wish to
be boys or girls as and everyone should accept that as as truth. However, they fail to recognize that male and female is a determination by God at conception. The problem with
5756 is that um what can happen is under the current policy, schools can work with professionals on a confidential basis without the knowledge or consent of parents to transition minors without meeting threshold diagnosis or even
appropriate mental health screening. and children are will be subjected to harmful experimental these these uh drugs are experimental. They're used to castrate sex offenders. And even if one child is subjected to these standard practices without the knowledge or
consent of his parents, that could be exposing um the board to potential serious litigation. Um in the the 5756 it talks about um you'll hear that we do
not do these surgeries or we do not do this in the schools but 5756 requires that uh that these children are you find gender professionals um who conduct and unfortunately inadequate evaluations of
patients and uh they don't explore the underlying mental uh mental mental health issues that can contribute to um dysphoria, gender dysphoria. Um and that is one of the problems. And in addition,
uh, in instances where the parent or guardian and minor disagree, the school district is advised to consult their board attorney uh, regarding the minor civil rights. And they also, uh, this policy suggests that, um, advocacy
groups are contacted such as the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, referring parents to child abuse, neglect, and the missing children web page. So this alienates uh parents from their children. So I I did send an
email which provides a more detail as to why the policy uh would be in violation of the new um administration standards that are coming out of Washington. Uh you will see that in your email. And I thank you for the this opportunity to
speak with the board. And I do commend you. I've I've been in front of at least 30 uh school boards. This is one of the finest school boards I've seen. you have one of the highest academic standards that I've seen and I commend you on um on the excellent job that you're doing.
Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you. Yeah, David. Yeah, I David before you start, you know, please, you know, this room is small. What you're talking about, you know, you probably don't realize it just interferes with people speaking. So,
please both ways for your guest. Um, you know, um, that's all. Go ahead, David. Uh, I'm a resident of Edison. As a parent, I feel so horrible to hear tonight that how parents are
labeled from a lot of the previous discussion. I mean, to all parents, do we truly believe that the government cares and love more about our children than
ourselves. As a parent, I certainly don't believe that's the case. Parental involvement is essential to a child's well-being and development. It's also vital to the effective effectiveness of any school effort.
That's why parent are informed when their child is late for the school, absent for school, maybe did not get like academic in you know good standing. So from the previous arguments
to support this policy I mean to me it's unthinkable that how you are describing parents. Some of the argument parents are not trustworthy. As a parent, I'm always
educating my kids to do good in school. Trust the teacher, you know, trust the follow the policy in the school. And now you are educating my kids that parents is not trustworthy. What kind of education you
are doing at a school? describing parents involvement in such scenario as in harm's way. We do as a parent we always we love our kids even when they choose to be say you know transgender or whatever we are
going to find a good solution for them. Sometimes it can be difficult but a parent is always loving their children. They're going to find the solution for them from the long-term perspective. And for the rest of the
life, it's going to be the children and their parents who has to deal with the situation whether it's good or bad. For a lot of the people who are trying to keep this policy, you maybe just deal
with it for like one or two years. You are not going to take the like a full rest of the life for their family. It it is the parents and the children who is going to deal with that. The assumption that this policy that
parents are harmful to the children is totally wrong. So this policy should not should be re abolished and this policy should not be in there in the first place by the
state and dear board member Mr. Ronak Patel Mr. Erico and Mr. She when you run for the board of education last year, one of your key promise is to defend the parent and children children's
rights and the election result clearly told you you know giving you the answer by majority of the Edison residents. So now and also to all of the other board members you have the answer
by the Edison residents and parents what's their opinion. So it's very clear that you should abolish this policy. So you should take the voice of Edison residents and abolish this
policy. Although we don't have a lot of Edison parents here, we do have some like political activists from other town. You have the answer from the last election result from the Edison
residence. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Yes, Anthony. Anthony Mara for medicine here to speak on policy 5756. Love works in truth. Is it love to
lie to the one you love? Obviously not. So let's cut to the chase. What's the truth? The truth is what God tells us. There's one voice that's not being heard tonight. It's his voice. And he tells us there are only two genders, male and
female. In fact, he stamped it in our bodies. The guys have the XY chromosome, the ladies the XX chromosome. They can't be changed with hormone blockers, surgery, frankly, anything else. Whatever is done to try to change it
doesn't change the fundamental build building blocks in our bodies. And he and and he he God tells us in his word, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made
them male and female and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." In other words, just two genders, not male, female, and a half a dozen others. I've attended enough board meetings to
hear a phrase called portrait of a graduate. Does a portrait of a graduate include a student who can't reproduce in the usual fashion? Because that's what changing gender will do. Surgeries, horers, you're going to substantially
reduce, maybe completely eliminate the ability of a student to reproduce in usual fashion. Is that what you want? Do you want your students to to graduate high academics reading wr writing and enrichment all those but they can't reproduce? Is that what you want? Is
that a portrait of a graduate? I hope not. The policy that should exist is one that counsels the student on the gender to which he or she was born. If that student has difficulty with it, you counsel just as you would counsel a
student on a on a particular subject. He's having difficulty with math, reading, writing. Oh no, he's not doing well. Let's sit down with this student, with the parents and talk to the student about the problem here. Few days ago, I emailed
you some material from a website called He Cheated. I want to read it. Read some of the material because I can't say it any better than what's in here. It it speaks primarily to how girls are not being protected. I've
heard a lot about protection tonight. How about protecting the girls in sports? He says he's a girl. Reality is irrelevant. Logic is irrelevant. His physical body and physical sex are irre irrelevant. His
word is law. If he says it, that's the end of it. He alone gets to decide who he competes with and against female athletes and and female athletes have no choice. He's allowed in the locker rooms
where the female athletes are changing. How about protecting the girls? How about keeping a safe environment for the girls in the locker rooms? He's allowed in locker rooms where female athletes are changing in a state of undress and a position of vulnerability. They are given no
warning. They're given no autonomy over their bodies, no privacy or safe spaces. Every accommodation is for him. His comfort is the utmost importance. Theirs is dismissed. Female athletes are told this is
necessary. He can't join the boys because he doesn't fit in. This goes on and on like this. Keep a safe place for the girls, please. There are incidents. It It's pretty much recorded. I I've I've spoken about this before about girls getting
injured in sports because of transgender students. The guys are simply built better for this kind of stuff. Let me rephrase the it's pretty much understood in athletics that using stero steroids is
wrong. Whether you're a male or female, it gives an unfair advantage to the athlete. Well, that's what you're doing. You're giving an unfair advantage to the transet. The transete as a guy, he's got stronger bones, stronger muscles. The
fact that he tries to be a girl doesn't change that. That's unfair. Shame on you. Shame on you. They're being cheated out of award, winning a gold medal, a first place in some kind of athletics. Shame on you. I've spoken often about the fifth
commandment. Honor your father and your mother. Are you really honoring mom and dad by keeping him in the dark? Really? Is that what you want as a parent to be kept in the dark? Don't tell mom and dad what a son or daughter is planning on
doing, changing gender. Things have been said about the the need for parents to be able to be involved in their children. Please abolish this policy. It's harmful. It's dangerous. It's doing
harm to to the students in Edison. Thank you. Anybody else? Excuse me. Excuse me. You can speak if you come up to the podium during public comment, but not I think after everyone gets one turn,
they can speak a second time unless there's something to rebut. Okay. Go ahead. Hi. Go ahead. Hi, my name is Diego Himenez. Used to be a resident here. Uh, unfortunately did not want us to be anymore,
but we sat here. Can you move the microphone? Sorry. Yes. Thank you. Up a little bit. We've all been here and and the main reason that we're here is is that you care and and we hear all of you right now. and the people speaking out
against this policy. Everything I'm hearing, all the things I have in that I hear in common is you know best and you're in control. Right? The Bible says this, you're not really listening to science.
So why do you feel that your child will feel comfortable coming to you about something you don't quite understand? We're not perfect. We we're not going to get everything immediately. Like I'm a cisgender sis hat man and my ex was I
was with them almost eight years and they came out to be non-binary because guess what? When they were 10 years old and they started feeling like they were bisexual, they talked to their parents and they got a punch to the
face. Do I I I hear you guys and I you guys are caring. you guys are here and and I understand that and and I'd like to think if your children came to you for this, you would you would grow and you would understand and you want to listen. But not every
parent is like you guys. Not every parent is willing to grow. Not every parent is willing to say, "My child's going through some stuff. Let me let me hear let me hear them out. Let me let me see the science. What's going on? Is this is this actually a thing?"
My my parents growing up are uh I'm a first generation uh American. My parents are immigrants and unfortunately they came from a country that was not as accepting as the United States unfortunately. And growing up all I heard was if you ever come out to be
gay, you're not our son anymore. So don't even think about it. And like I wasn't thinking about it, but Jesus, like that's terrifying. So, I did not feel comfortable going to my parents about that because I knew I was going to get punched in the face. I almost got in
a fight with my parents because I got a tattoo when I was 19, which is wild. But I just I just want to bring us back here because we all care. We all care about the children here. But just remember, children are still trying to figure things out and not every
household is safe. Not every parent deserves to be a parent. You all are. You are here and you all are here and you care and that matters. But some of those parents do not. Some of those home environments are not safe. And sometimes a caring teacher is the only one they
they could feel comfortable talking to. Like I I had a teacher in in in middle school I felt comfortable coming to when when things really got bad. And and I'm so grateful I had them because I could sure as not go to my parents about any of that. That was
terrifying. But luckily my parents grew. But you know, allow them to have that opportunity. Allow them that space to figure things out. Allow them to grow. Allow them to figure it out. And then they will they will come to you. And they're going to want your support.
They're going to want your love. And they're and they're going to be as confident and happy as they ever were because they had that space to grow and figure it out. And all they ask is just for you to be their parent and for you to love them. And that's all they want. And then you guys are going to have a great relationship. I guarantee you. Let
them let them grow and let them figure it out. They might not know their the things at first. They might not understand who they are. They'll get there. Might take a little while, but just be patient. We all love We all love our kids. We all want to be good
parents. Just Just have empathy. I know if something's different from what you grew up knowing, something's different from what you were taught, just put yourself in this in in these people's shoes. We've had parents, we've had teachers, we have doctors, we had
actual transgender people speaking in front of you, crying and telling you their feelings. All I'm asking you is just just put yourself in their shoes. Hear what they're saying. Hear their emotions.
I I can only imagine what you're going through. And I I was I'm grateful to be in the safe environment I am now, but I didn't have that growing up. And some of these kids did not either. So, please keep this policy in
place. Live with empathy. Be there for your kids. And thank you. Thank you. Yes. Uh no, you already spoken. Do I have Okay. Yes. You've just walked in. Good timing. Hi, my name is Kay Raval. I
am a resident of Edison, 50 Vincent Behan Boulevard. I am a proud I' I'd like to continue say saying that I'm a proud graduate of Edison public schools. I went to Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. I went to Herbert Hoover Middle School and I went to Edison High School
and I graduated in 2022. And I was in the marching band and I was in student council. And a lot of my friends were queer and a lot of my friends were very open about exploring their
identities because we were kids. We were teenagers. And one thing that was really really important to me was the fact that our teachers always made space for us. They always gave us the room to be ourselves because when we went back to
school after the lockdown there was you know we a lot of kids found a journey of self-discovery over lockdown. They all learned new things about themselves because we were trapped in one place for one year without any like social interaction with the people we cared
about. Right? So our we came back to school and we would joke that oh my god there's kids wearing cat ears in the hallway. There kids there's kids wearing cattails in the hallways. But it's like it didn't affect our education. Those kids who were wearing
cat ears just liked wearing cat ears. I wore cat ears to middle school too because I thought it was fun. Because we liked the headbands and we liked the designs. So we had the room to explore who we were becoming. And it never hurt our education. It didn't hurt the actual
things we were learning about. And I've heard some people I've been listening to the live stream and I just I realized, oh my god, I have to be there right now. So I I just I had to pull up. And there it never mattered what we
learned about. And some people are saying that there's gender ideology being taught in schools. But when you really look down to what gender studies classes teach you, it's more about becoming more tolerant of of the world around you. It's not about saying that
these people are doing things and you have to be like them as well. When they say that they're teaching gender studies in history, what they're teaching is about the Senica Falls Convention. They're teaching that women wanted to have the right to vote, so women organized to have the right to vote.
When they're teaching about queer studies in history class, they're teaching that the Stonewall riots were a thing that happened because there was a lot of brutality against an certain community and that community said, "Hey, we are being hurt by the government and
we want a place to be ourselves and we want to be open about who we love." That's why they legalized gay marriage in 2015. That was not a two-year long fight. That was not a five-year long fight. That was a decades decadesl long fight. I'm a Rucker student. I'm a
political science student at Rucker University. And all of these things that I learn in my classes, it's not trying to make me into something that I'm not. Nobody has ever asked me to become more
radical or more re Nobody has ever asked me to change my gender. That's that's not a thing that happens in school. I spent four years at Edison High School. Nobody ever told me that I was wrong for being a girl and
liking that I was a girl. And the thing is when my friends really didn't want to be girls, nobody told them that they were wrong either because they weren't wrong. Sometimes it is really hard to grow up in a certain body that doesn't match who you are inside because kids
face all of these issues and sometimes it's really hard to come out to your parents about even the minorest of issues. It took me my dad's over there. It he he had to drive me because I can't drive this week because I'm getting
ready for my dance recital at Edison High School. Actually, I'm I'm paying the board of education to use Edison High School's facilities. So, I really want to make sure that my money is going to be used in the right way after this because I
learned all of these things in my college career and in my high school career that said, if you're coming here to learn, we're going to teach you and we're not going to make you accept anything that you're not. Because I'm so sorry, I lost my train of thought. Um I think I was going somewhere about how
There isn't really one driving force that says all of these kids will be treated the same way at home. And I think that's what the repeal of this policy is trying to say, that when these kids go home, they will all be treated the same way because the people who are
their parents are also the parents of the people pushing to abolish this policy. But every child has different parents. It took me three years to tell my parents that I was struggling with my mental health. It took me so long to tell my parents that, hey, I've been I
failed a class and I had a breakdown, total breakdown sophomore year because I failed a class and I didn't know how they would react and they didn't react that well at first, let me tell you that. And over the past five years, my dad has, you know, come around and he's learned. And that's what I think that
these policies are preventing people from doing. If you're telling a kid straight off the bat, hey, we're gonna send you home. we're going to tell your parents everything. Now they're in danger because when my counselor at EHS told my parents that I had been harming myself, I thought I thought the school
was out to get me. I thought the school was out to get me, but they were concerned for my safety. And it's not that being trans is going to concern my safety. If I have a parent who is accepting of a specific thing, then
they'll be accepting of it. But my parents were concerned about my health. So they had to kind of Oh, sorry, my time is up. But I just want to make my point that there is a major difference between these two things. Okay, good time. And protect trans kids. Sorry.
Okay. Anybody else? Wait. Yes. Brian, Brian Rivera, Edison. So I am from Edison, grew up in Edison, went to schools in Edison. Uh father of two kids in Edison, school administrator, former board of
education member and I have concerns regarding the abolishment of this policy and it's through experiences. Um even through my work, not every kid goes to a healthy home. I've watched domestic
abuse. I experienced domestic abuse and It sucks. Sorry. Bad memories. But anyway, good evening. I'm here tonight as a concerned member of the community to address handling policy 5756.
I was deeply troubled to learn that this policy was placed on the agenda for removal without prior discussion or transparency among all amongst all the board members of education. A decision of this importance one that directly affects students, families and staff
should not be made behind closed doors or without provide all board members with information needed to make well informed decisions. Information regarding to this policy I know is not given to all these board members. are coming here making a decision without
the advice from attorneys or any other paperwork. I know that for I know that for a fact because I spoke to board members and I spoke to other people about it. So, they're coming here and they're going to vote and they don't have the proper information to make that vote. From what I understand, there was
no opportunity for the full board to review or discuss the policy beforehand and no legal guidance from the board attorney was presented prior to being added to the agenda. This lack of communication and process undermines public trust, raises serious concerns about how decisions are being
made. This has been going on since January. It's a it's a joke. People are being supplied information, certain people, but everyone else is not getting that information. And now they're being asked to pass a budget where they're getting no information, to abolish a policy, not getting information, to get
rid of vendors without giving information. It's a select group of people getting in uh getting information and people are being put in harm's way trying to make decisions without information. So, I just want to talk about the history of policy
5756 and how it was introduced to Edison Township Public Schools. And this is all based on uh the minutes that are on the website that you can look up for yourself at the July 22nd, 2019 board of education meeting. minutes from the
policy committee that was held on June 28th, 2019 was reported. The policy committee met which included Una Chen, Richard Brusher, Theresa Ward, and Faluni Patel. The minutes state that the committee reviewed all the mandatory and optional recent policy changes that were
proposed by Strauss Esme, including policy 5756. On September 23rd, 2019, the board of education unanimously voted for the first reading of the new and revised policies. Jerry She was president. Ralph Ero was the vice president and Shannon
was on the board as well. On September 27th, 2019, the policy committee met again talking about the mandated policies. On October 7th, 2019, the policy committee met again and the committee went over more mandated policies again. And then October 16th,
2019, the board of education meeting, the board of education unanimously voted for a second reading of the new revised policies. Again, Jerry was president, Mr. Erica was the vice president, and Shannon was on the board. They all voted yes to this policy in
2019. So, I have questions, which I know they're not going to be answered. It's infamous here. They only answer our questions. So, question number one, it's directed to Jerry, Ralph, and Shannon since you're still on the board and you participated in this. This policy was vetted three times by the policy
committee and the board approved the first reading and the second reading in 2019. Please tell the public what your stance is on this matter. You all approved in 2019 why in 2024 and 25 school year there is an issue with this
policy. Please state your stance. Number two, my question actually goes to Ralph, but Ralph left. You know, Ralph started his career as a teacher. uh he was a vice principal, principal, uh security guard, and currently teaches
in the classroom. With all these hats that that Ralph wears or or wore, are you sure that this you feel comfortable removing a policy that's designed to protect kids, kids that sit in front of you? You you teach these kids. And then number three, my third
question is directed to Mr. Dr. Alderelli. I apologize. If this policy is removed, what will you instruct your staff to do absent this policy? Because to me, it's pure negligence to remove a policy without having something in
place. Now, the interesting part about me was I sat on the board here and we spent over $25,000 and legal fees talking to six different attorneys and they all said to stay away from this policy. It's already in the courts. People are taking care of it. stay in
good standing with the state because it also could say it'll affect your funding. First time they abolished it, three days later we lost our funding for prek. Hinky dink. I I don't
know. But and finally, you know, when you ran for election, all you you all ran under a slogan, students first. This time around, if you use that slogan, students first, please put parenthesis stating except the LGBTQ
community because based on your decisions today, Time's up. Sorry. These students don't matter to you. Sorry. Times up. Anybody else? Anybody else? Okay. Yeah.
Matt Revnack, teacher of 38 years, 36 years here in Edison and currently the ETA president. So, first of all, there is nowhere in the curriculum that says and we teach somebody become LGBTQ, transition, whatever. We're here for
support. We're here to keep our kids safe. And I want to share a few things. Number one, as a parent of two daughters, one who's going to be 31 and the other one is 27. Even to this day, yeah, I know I don't believe it, right?
How my daughters know that they can come and talk to my wife and myself about everything. It's about parenting, okay? And that's the relationship we have. My older daughter, who is married a few years ago, recently got divorced.
Divorce does not happen in my family. My grandparents married 58 years when my grandfather died. My parents were married 58 years when my father died. I'm going to be married 35 years. My brother's married almost 40. My sister's not married. Never was. So, it was
difficult, but she knew she can come and talk to us about it. If the child can talk to their parents about it, I'm sure the young lady from JP Stevens has because they know the parent is supportive. But if the child can't, there's a reason for it
because they're in fear. And I also want to share something. I know Mr. Rivera mentioned it. I lived in an abusive relationship. A father that was abusive to three children and a husband that was abusive to his wife, even though my mother stuck
with him for 58 years. And I would have been scared to go tell him something like this. I would have been one of those students that would have been very upset and there's no way in hell I would have told my parents I'm gay. I'm want to change
my gender. Hell, he'd beat the crap out of you for anything little that you did wrong. And that's what we're talking about here. It's not the child that goes to their parent that's accepting. It's the child that is afraid they feel this
way. And I have a cousin that was homosexual, came from a jock family, and it took him till he was about 27 years old to tell his father that he was gay because he lived in fear of how the father, his father, my uncle would react
at the time. So that's what we're talking about here. Second thing about the teachers. I had at least five students that died at young ages. Car accidents,
motorcycle accident. Two have monuments in JP Stevens from 911. I know emotionally what that does to a teacher. These are kids I had that as I always tell my students, I'm part of your life and you're part of my life for the next year. in some cases two or
three. In fact, one of them I had Nahasha Shendi after two years was coming back from college sent me an email. I'm gonna come see you. I want to tell you, talk to you and how well I'm doing, etc., etc. I was in a car accident the night before she was coming to see me. I still
have the email. I will always keep it. As a teacher, if I have to be the person that's forced now to tell their parent and then the next day that kid comes in abused or worse yet because of the parents reaction takes their own
life, I have to live with that the rest of my life as well. And that's a serious thing to have to do. So I agree with Mr. Rivera. One of the things I if you're going to abolish this, you should have a policy or a procedure on how stuff like this will be
handled. That's important. I had two students throughout my career very early and it wasn't about this but when it was a teenage pregnancy situation, similar situation came to me in trust. Parents were going to kill her.
She when she disclosed it, you know, we did the right thing. I talked her into let's go see the nurse, the counselor, got the administrator, called the parents in and I know she had a child. In fact, I said I could have taught her grandchildren. Do the right thing. I
also have a student years ago that talked to me about a situation with him and it had to do with the parents and it's ironic because the next day the mother called me. He said, "Mr. Revnack, what do you say to my son Aaron?" Remember the name from 34 years ago.
He's a different person today. And it was a discussion we have. never mentioned suicide to me because I would have had to act upon that but the mother told me he was suicidal and unfortunately what I would have liked to tell the mother is you're part of the problem I couldn't do that and I
wouldn't do that but that was the problem so that's what these students these young people that are not coming forward that want to keep it sort of secretive that's the reason maybe at some point they will tell the parents I know again being an abusive situation
Yeah, I finally was able to stand up to my father when I became bigger than he was, you know, or I can, you know, fend for myself sort of. Unfortunately, my mother wasn't like that, including almost up to the day he died. And that is a sad situation. And that's what
we're talking about here. So, consider what you're doing. One final thing, that policy was developed in coordination with state law. The law hasn't changed. It's almost like you're snubbing your nose at the law then by retracting this. That's what we're talking about
also. So, you know, think twice before you vote. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Any first timers over here? Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Yeah, go ahead. Hello, my name is Alex. Um, I'm a
student at Ruckers. I also worked at, if you guys are familiar with STEM Academy, it is now, um, part of the public school system in Edison. It's in North Edison. And I'm here to get closer to the microphone, please. Thank you. Sorry. um the situations that this will be
putting kids in is not only going to be harmful to them and their well-being but their education. And as educators and as people on the board of education, that has to be priority. If these kids are worried about their safety, they cannot
focus on their education. And their safety is obviously the most important thing. there's policies in place to keep our kids safe and this is going directly against that. I know there were a lot of good points made before so I'm trying
not to make any repetitive statements. Um, I had a student in the summer, last summer, and she chose to change her name and me and all the other staff at STEM
Academy, we decided obviously to respect that, and the change was immediate. She loved to be called um I won't say her name, but when we would call attendance and she would hear her name, the one that she chose, the one that she wanted,
she would just light up. And this girl had been through so much. She lost her dad two years before and helping her find her way through this and helping
her have a safe space when she had dealt with so much. um was so important, so important to me. And eventually her grandmother who is raising her after her dad passed, she came around to it. And I know that's
doesn't happen all the time, but that's just a story of when this this does work out, when it just takes the the caretakers a little bit more time to come around. And had I been forced to go
and tell her grandmother, I'm not sure if it would have had the same outcome as her coming to her grandmother on her own terms and discussing it. And I think that's something that you need to think about. You need to think about how these
kids need to be able to come to their identity on their own terms and meet with their caregivers on their own terms about it as well, regardless of what their situation at home is like. Thank you very much. Any other first
timers? Any other first- timers? Okay. You want to go for a second? Mr. Mr. She Yes. Uh to rebut we have to take and have a conversation. Yes. With the person. Yes. We haven't
had a rebutt or a conversation unless unless you want to give nine minutes. You have six minutes once and if you want to rebut you have to rebut what we've discussed. We haven't discussed anything
with them, but if you would like, if you'd like to give them another three minutes, which is fine, but you had said that you wanted to give everybody six minutes. I'm only going by policy. So, they can rebut with other c other
people's comments. Okay, that's fine. I just want to make sure. Thank you. Thank you. That's okay. I Yes. Go ahead. Thank you. Three minutes. Three minutes. the first time or they're all done. So, this is the second time. This is a
rebuttal. Eric, sorry. May I go? Yes. Go ahead. Hi, my name is Kim Lley again. I'm from Manalapin. Teachers influence how a child thinks and they shape and mold their minds. as a mom and of two daughters and teaching, my one second
child had a lot of challenges through school. So, at the end of the uh the challenges, she didn't graduate high school. She got her GED and I had a lot of challenges in the school dealing with colleagues at a different school district. What I can't understand is that those teachers over there didn't
see the same way I did. My child right now is assistant manager of a bank. So another thing that I want to bring up to your mind is this policy is enabling children to change their identity when brain the brain isn't fully developed. The men's mental health daily has an
article at what age is the ma brain fully developed which entails the ages and stages of brain development. A child's brain isn't fully developed into their mid20s and as late as 30 years old. This is extremely significant because when because children who are 18 years of old are making legal decisions
considered an adult and their brain isn't fully developed. If you have a have an adult child, you know that all their decisions are the best. Even though considered an adult by age, children need parental input. The prefrontal cortex is an area of the brain which is responsible for
attention, complex planning, decision-m and impulse control to name just a few. a major of the prefrontal cortex is not developed until the child is about the age of 20. There are other areas of the brain which are part of the prefrontal cortex that I don't have time to mention. How can a 5-year-old know they
can what their identity is? Another thing is that teachers are are going to be um confronted with whether about their faith to ch call that child by that new gender. So there's a lot of things to consider with this policy. I want to thank you for your time and efforts. Thank you.
Yes. Hi again, Danielle Bruno Arlequinn from uh Colonia, New Jersey, Middle Sex County resident. As an educator, I know that there's two things I'm not really supposed to discuss with my students. The first is who I voted
for because they don't need to know and I tell them every day that the that the vote is private. So when they do grill me on it, I say not not it's private. You're not supposed to know that. And two is my
religion. However, last time I checked, we live in America. America is not a Christian nation. It is a nation of multiple religions, of multiple practices, of multiple
people. We're a multitude. So, it's really disconcerting to hear individuals who come to this podium and start talking about God because at the end of the day, what
I believe doesn't really matter to these kids. What they believe matters to them. And I'm not going to go up and just like I wouldn't go up to my Muslim students and tell them that they have to believe in God, we shouldn't be forcing policy
based on religion into this doctrine. The science is clear. There's a separation in church and state for a reason. Finally, I can't even get my students to bring a dang pencil to school. How am I going to convince a
child to change their gender? just asking because if you know how maybe I can actually get pencils and I won't have to spend all my own money buying these dang pencils. I'm just being honest because I swear they eat them because they're
they're gone. They're just gone. So at the end of the day, we have to remember that though our faith may guide us in our decision-making, we have to separate our faith from our job as teachers. And we have to separate our faith from our
policy. What you do in your house of God matters to you and matters to your God. But not everyone has the same God. And we can't force everybody to be strict to that doctrine. That is dogma at its worst and
we need to be more tolerant, much or less more accepting. At the end of the day, what I believe doesn't matter as much as my Muslim student would like me to convert to Islam. He's trying really hard. He's almost getting me, but not
quite. At the end of the day, what I believe is separate from my practice as a teacher and people's beliefs in their god should be separate from policy. Thank you. Thank
you. Keep it short. Keep it short. Okay. There's no backup. There's no back. No, no, no. I said keep it short. Response. Derl Magio again, Dolores Turko Foundation. Um just a very quick response regarding our constitutional right to freedom of speech and freedom
of religion. Um there is um the separation of state and religion was I believe it was Jefferson so that the state could never interfere with the practice of religion. Uh and just to let you know with regard to the transgender policy, um there are teachers who have
religious beliefs that it violates their religious belief to use pronouns that are um some of the children ask. And just to make you aware of the lawsuits, uh freedom of of religion is winning these lawsuits. If a teacher is fired
for not following the pronouns of a child, um that uh the the uh the the bottom line of these cases is that they must be reinstated and most of these cases are settled for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Uh freedom of religion in the United States of America
and freedom of speech are extremely important freedoms. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, Brett. Brett Baker, Edison, New Jersey. Again, I would I would love to leverage 10 years of being a political
scientist to rebut that chaos, but I need I need to actually rebut the the very pervasive belief and talking points and straw man argument that there that
this is primarily happening in the the moldable ages of the youth. Um, I I've heard alone tonight members of the transgender and LGBTQ community speak and and and I'm not entirely sure any of them said, "Hey, at 5 years old I was considering
this." Um, and and I just need to address that because I I just think it's a scary place to go if I if I'm being honest. My son turns seven in two weeks. He paints his nails. He wears my daughter's high heel toy shoes. He likes wearing her dress. He wears my niec's
handme-down jeans, not because we're cheap. He just likes them. It's cool. I'm very aware that his mind is moldable, and I'm very welcoming if he goes there. But it's not happening. And and and to to come I I I'm I'm sorry people are traveling so far to come and
and just say such dishonest information that this is happening at that age, it's it's just wrong. And so as the parent of a child who is that age of this district, stop it. Just stop it. If you want to talk about a teenager or an
adult transitioning and having that debate, I live with the empathy that my friend spoke about. Live with that empathy and go there. But don't talk about children going through like it's not happening. And if you have sources, show them. But stop holding up these
random straw man arguments that 5-year-olds are going to their kindergarten teacher and talking about their identity. My son walked up to Mrs. Romeo at James Monroe Elementary School and the first thing he said was, "I like the color of your shoes." And she said,
"I like the color of your nails." And I'll be damned if that was not the best welcome I could get to this district. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Yeah, the red t-shirt. Yeah.
Hi, I'm Cal Reinhardt again. I'm from North Brunswick still. Um, I wasn't really planning on speaking again. Um, but then I heard one thing tonight that angered me and I had to speak. However, I hear that many of you are Christian and uh many of my transgender siblings
are also Christian, although I am not. So, I wanted to share this beautiful quote with you that I think really uh illustrates um how these two um two things can coexist. Um and that is uh from a transgender person who I don't have the original quote from, I'm sorry.
Um, God blessed me by making me transsexual for the same reason God made wheat but not bread and fruit but not wine so that humanity might share in the art of creation. I hope that that helps some of you reconcile your feelings
about this situation. Um, but now I must taint the beauty of that quote with what I came up here to say, which is that if you look at a group of high school photos and your main concern is whether or not they can reproduce, then the thing that we should be protecting them
from seems like it's you, not trans people. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Yes. Hi, I'm I'm Grayson. I'm from Matutan, five minutes down the road. Um, thank you for sharing your perspective
with us tonight, ma'am, and the woman behind you also doing work that for you is advocacy. I cannot blame you for experiences you haven't had. I am loved by God. I am loved by my
community. And so are the kids who need the protection of of this policy. I would love to share with you the joy I find in my
community. The life that I live is not one that that you have. The life that you live is not one that I have. would love to swap stories sometime. We are all here because we care and many people
have shared that sentiment. I'd like to thank all of you lovely board members sitting here because you care and that if you brought this policy back to the table, it was because you genuinely thought that it
was worth your time. And I implore you to stop making kids think that they will have to continue to
fight. This policy was passed under good faith. This policy has been upheld under good faith. And whether or not it is sustained again tonight, you have told the children of your district
that you will threaten them. So when we talk about trust and we talk about breaking trust, know that the act of this conversation has broken trust.
Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? Jerry over here. She'll raise her hand first. Okay. I'll corate later. I'm gonna not gonna miss anyone. So any as long as you raise your hand, I will not
miss any. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. My name is Camille Silva. I live in North Eden. I'm sure you missed me. Now, uh I was going to talk more on religion and child abuse, but those are dead horses that are now mince meat on the
ground. So, I am mainly going to talk about two things. One, being gay and trans is not like the cool new trend on the block. When people walk into school, they do not look in awe at the trans kids. No, you're still the weird one. Like,
homophobia is not gone. If you sit down at lunch tables and just listen, you will hear people, mostly the guys, still like saying slurs, calling, "Oh, bro, you're gay." Like, homophobia is still here. being trans is not cool. It's still
like, oh, second of all, um the thing of oh, uh this child is 5 years old, how's how does this child know their gender? They don't. That's why you got to let them explore. Let them find out. If you keep
that child locked in their one gender for the rest of their life, then they're going to have not a fun time doing that in adulthood. Let them do it when they're a kid. Let them figure it out. Goodbye. I'm going to sleep. Thank
you. Lay for late for sleep. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Someone over here. Yeah. Hi. Once again, K Raval. Um hopefully still a proud graduate of an Edison High School. Um, something I'd like to say about the people who have come from out
of Edison to speak their Christian values at us is that Edison is a very, very diverse town. And JP Stevens is JP Stevens is 80% Asian. Edison High School is 40% Asian. Many of my friends were
not Christian. Some of my friends were. Some of my friends were Catholic. A lot of my friends were Hindu. A lot of my friends were Muslim. A lot of my friends were Jewish. We all have had different gods and we have all shared the same experiences of coming together at our
schools and being accepted by our teachers and being accepted by our friends. There has never been in Hindu doctrine. If we're going to speak about religious doctrine in India, there is a class of people called hij. They are
people who exist outside of the gender spectrum. They have existed for thousands of years. If you go to a Hindu Hindu temple, there will be murals and statues of these people who partake in both gender identities of these people. Our gods have changed gender. That's
something that's Hindu doctrine. But I don't come here to impose Hindu doctrine on Edison school districts. I come here to acknowledge that a lot of kids in Edison might be Hindu. A lot of kids in Edison might be Muslim or Christian or
Jewish as well. But the thing is that we don't all share the same God. And it's very very hard to make that speech when you're not a part of this community that is Edison. Edison is 100,000 plus
people. We are the sixth most populated township in New Jersey. And I am so grateful to live here every day. And one of the reasons that I was grateful to live here was the fact that I felt safe in Edison and I felt accepted for every
part of my identity. Whether it was the fact that I wore a knee brace to every day of high school because I still do or whether it was the fact that I decided to start dying my own hair. Nobody ever really pushed back against me for exploring who I was and coming to grips
with what I was struggling with there. If a teacher was ever against the idea of something I was doing, they had a logical reason for being against it because it was written in their code of conduct as a teacher. It was written in whatever they signed when they became a
teacher to protect me. Sometimes as a kid, it doesn't feel like you're being protected. But what's happening here is there's no kids that are saying that they're not being protected from gender ideology. they're open to learning about it because the kids are there to learn and then they can form their own
opinions about it. So, it's very very difficult for me to see people coming to Edison and saying that they should be left out. Thank you. Anybody else? Anybody else? Okay. See none. Can I have a motion? Motion to close
proportion. Do I have a second? I second. Okay. All in favor? I. Okay. So, any board member has any comments? Mr. Shake. Yes. Go ahead. I've listened to a multitude of
ideas. Uh I believe that the students and the parents, but I believe about the education system, reading, writing, and arithmetic.
That's what that's what our curriculum is. And I don't want to keep parents out of it, but I want parents to understand that you're a parent and you should know about your
children. After all, they're growing up in your house. I have people standing up here. I have members of the board that don't really remember that my job is to see that it runs well, to see
that I have a superintendent, an assistant superintendent, and a BA and a multitude of teachers. That's my job. But also, it's my job to to protect the
kids because if one kid, one, just one has an issue parents, you know about this. Each and every one of you, don't hang your head in shame.
Hang your head high because I know my students. I know my kids. I'm going to stand here and vote no. I know it's not tonight, but I am voting no because to be perfectly honest, the
parents know their kids. And if their kids, it's their kids. Come on, man. Think about it. It's their kids. They should know about their
kids. Thank you. Thank you. Any other board member comments? I have some. Yes. These are just some thoughts that I have. Okay. I support making changes to the current policy. Genie, can you get
closer to the mic? Thank you. There you go. There we go. I do this all the time. I'm sorry, but um please respect the other board members, please. I'm sorry. No, I'm just saying some other you let you speak. They don't don't interrupt you. Yes, I support
making changes to this current policy. While it's not perfect, I believe the policy committee or the board president should pro should propose thoughtful revisions before we move to repeal this
entirely. In my opinion, this policy should be repealed and replaced, not just eliminated. If the board determines that the existing policy no longer works, then it's our
responsibility responsibility to provide a new one that gives teachers and administrators clear and consistent guidance. We serve 17,000 students across this district. No matter what
school they attend, where they live, they deserve to be treated fairly and consistently. This decision doesn't need to be rushed. We could wait until the school year ends and use the summer to
develop a stronger, more effective policy. That way, we avoid creating any gaps that could negatively impact our students. The message is simple. Repealing this
policy without having a replacement is irresponsible. Our duty as a board is to create policies that support our schools, our students, our
staff, you know, our taxpayers, and everybody that's involved. These are just my opinions and I've listened to every single one of you. This and this isn't the first time. I see you at many meetings. I listen and this is just what
I feel. I think you know my if you asked me to vote right now, I would say right now my vote is you know it's a no. Thank you. You know and I think that um it's something that we need to address and we need to make it better.
Thank you. Thank you. Any other board members? Yes, Chris. Thank you, President Shei. Um, I I I definitely don't want to uh rehash anything that was said, but I do want to bring uh uh something to the board's attention,
which I take quite seriously. So, I walked into the committee meeting on Monday with an agenda right here. And uh the agenda was to look at I roughly 15 or so policies that were
revised and a couple of new policies and um and then in the end you know there's some something here a little note with uh uh uh safety standards with electrical appliances and uh to think about that. Um and then when the the
when when the meeting adjourned or about to adjourned um the policy 5756 was brought up. My concern is when I left that meeting we had discussed that the
revised policies and the new policies would be the policies that would be voted on. and that fi that policy 5756 would be a closed room discussion. That didn't
happen. That did not happen. I found that 5756 was included in all these policies with the word abolish around it. As a chair of the policy committee, that's
insulting that I had to find out about it by looking at the web page. No one told me it was on there. I found out by looking quite honestly it's disgraceful. I'm sorry public that you
have to hear this. I find it a huge disgrace and um quite honestly it questioned. I I if if I can't trust things coming out of my own committee will be accurate on the agenda, how can I how can I trust
anything anything that's on this agenda, whether it's finance, whether it's personnel, how can I trust anything? Dr. Alderelli, uh I got a question for you. How did policy 5756 end up on the agenda? We had a discussion with the board
president in relationship to placing it on the agenda. Thank you. Any other board member comments? So um if you read the school board policy, the two person who controls agenda, school board president
and superintendent. We discussed this policy in in in the committee meeting and we talked about abolishing it. if it's not on the agenda, how we're going to abolish the policy. We said we're going to have a close session discussion, which we did,
and then you know this is this is what the result is. If it's not on the agenda, how I'm going to abolish this policy. So, with that said, do we have any other board member comments? Excuse me. Wait, you can you can make
your comments after you have your opportunity. I'm done. Okay. Well, there's no back and forth. Please respect Please respect the board. Please respect the board. Okay, throw them out, folks. Let's just continue with the next agenda item. Okay. So, can I have a
motion to approve the policies? Motion. Do I have a second? Second. Okay. Roll call, please. Mr. Ero, yes. Mr. Ronak Patel, yes. Mr. Lugo,
no. Miss Anja Patel, yes. Mr. Romano, absolutely no. Miss White, no. 15756 Miss Pang. Yes.
Mr. Vich Patel. Yes. President She Yes. Motion carries. So uh now let's move on to uh literally four people in this room spoke in favor of it. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. We're not going to have any more
comments from the public, guys. That's that's not the way we run the meeting. Okay. All right. So, uh, we No, we allow for public comments for anything else you wanted to come to talk. I'm sorry to
keep you waiting. Good evening everyone. My name is and I live in Edison. Today I'm representing Hindu Education Foundation which is a program of Hindu Suam Seaksung. Hindus Sevak USA or HSSUSA is a
501c3 voluntary nonprofit social educational and cultural organization. We have more than 250 weekly chapters nationwide to honor the teaching community for their exemplary service in educating the students. The first week in May is considered as teacher
appreciation week. To celebrate this special occasion, we organize an annual event called Guru Wandana. Guru in Sanskrit means teacher, spiritual master and mentor and wandana means salutation. Guru wandana means reverence to the
teacher. That is to say it is an expression of love, gratitude and reverence towards the teacher. Teachers play a critical role in educating and shaping our children into the future leaders of our country. These kind, patient, hard-working, dedicated and
understanding professionals help mold our children and guide them in positive directions. We entrust our children with teachers during the school year and they play a pivotal role in their lives daily. A well-known adage from my
culture says achara devoa which means teachers are next to God. Teachers are revered in our tradition. They occupy the highest position and role in the society. Hindu education foundation is working towards building the collaboration with teachers and students
to enhance the understanding of Hindu culture. Along with guruandhana event we have conducted yoga in Edison schools which was attended by 700 students. Hindu culture workshop for 80 teachers in Wang Boro school district and Dana
Hindu poster exhibition which was attended by 600 students. On behalf of Hindu Education Foundation His I humbly bow and thanks all the wonderful teachers around. You are our superheroes. Thank you and namaste. Thank you very much.
Okay. Anyone else? Any uh anything else? It's that you know really school related. Go ahead Matt. Matt Revnack ETA president. You know, I wish things would be done correctly because someone came up before and said you can only speak on
policy 5756. Never got a chance to bring up the one policy that was mentioned and you just voted on it. So, we never had an opportunity to speak on it before it was voted upon and that was the one about the use of appliances for example. Okay. And I understand most of them. No, I
said policies. Not I didn't say 5756 only. I said policy addressed to one person that saw it and was said that this is about 5756 only. No, go back and watch the tape tomorrow. Okay. Thank you. Okay. But anyway, in the policy about the
appliances, one of them that that is being now outlawed basically is fans. We are in buildings that are not air conditioned other than one or two. When I was grievance chair and vice president, I had people sending me room temperatures throughout the day. When it
was 95 degrees in a classroom at 8 in the morning and 103 at noon time and 110 at 2:00 in the afternoon, if we can't use fans and we're being told we have to keep our classroom, don't shake your head. No, it is the
truth. All right? And we're being told also for safety reasons, you got to keep your classroom doors closed. I was in a room that had two less windows because I was on a corner. It's not conducive to learning. It's not conducive to
teaching. Why are we not allowing fans? I can understand certain things like, yeah, you shouldn't have a coffee maker in a classroom or you shouldn't have a space heater perhaps, but a fan. If we don't have air conditioning, then put ceiling fans up in each classroom or
something to circulate the air at least. It's not going to work. So, I hope you'll take a look at that again because by voting yes on that, you just said it cannot happen. It doesn't even give the superintendent or building principal the opportunity to say, "Guess what? I understand it's 100 degrees in that
room. At least you could turn on a fan to circulate the the the uh ear." Second point, in terms of Mr. Luggo, I agree. I'm the president of the union. I set the agenda for my meetings, but I never do anything without asking
for my committee reports and talking to my committee chairs first. If there's something I want to add that is disrespectful, then what do you have committee chairs for? What do you have committees for? You're not going to listen to what they tell you or suggest to you. Yeah, you can all you
want. Number three, I didn't get up to rebut, but I'll say it now. One of the things that was insinuated that it was a mandate because you elected with 17,000 votes. That's basically what the vote total was. 17,000 votes out of 60,000
registered voters. It's not a mandate. And I would guarantee that 17,000 people did not vote just because of this policy. In fact, they probably voted because you promised them another zero budget. Free everything. Well, that's another one. So to make that and say that's a
mandate. Bull crap. In fact, I asked somebody on the board today, where is the stats and the data to support if 75% or 65% of the Edison voters and residents on this particular issue said it, hey, that's a
mandate. But even in the election, 17,000 out of 16 60,000 voters, that's less than 33%. That's not a mandate. Thank you. Thank you. Do you want to address the fact address
issue? Yeah. So, um, uh, Mr. She asked me to address the, uh, policy piece with the fans. They are the, uh, personal use of fans. So, fans that staff members would bring in, uh, part of the conversation would be that the board would provide,
um, classrooms with uh, fans upon the request of teachers, especially on those on those hot days. So, we are now going to purchase one. We have a hand in the back and Mr. Toe will assure of those pieces. So, so yeah, we we did discuss this and the policy is preventing you
bring personal personal electronics. If the school provides you, if the school provides you, that's fine. I don't want you to bring your own personal things from your home. Right? So, Brett
Brett Baker Edison, New Jersey. I'm I stand floored at what I experienced over the last three and a half hours. Um, I watched the teachers union overwhelmingly disagree with repealing
5756. I watched this room overwhelmingly disagree with repealing 5756. Um, for the most important statistic, I watched Edison residents in this room overwhelmingly disagree with repealing 5756. And I just watched nine people
just not care. And I'm just not sure what I did with three and a half hours of my life. You seem to have come in with your preconceived notion. You seem like you came in knowing I made a campaign promise. This is what I've got to deliver on.
And I'll just ask I'll ask the question that nobody's asking because I respect the man that I'm about to ask this question to. Um through the chair, Dr. Alderelli, you were you were
encouraged by the chair to clarify the district's position on personal electronics. And with the utmost respect, Dr. Dr. Alderelli, I would like to ask your thoughts on the repeal of 5756. Thank you. Well, we'll we'll address that at the
end. So, uh any any other member? Yeah, Mrs. Conway, you he address your question? Yes, Mrs. Should I start or are you going to answer? Let Dr. Alderelli speak. Mr. She, he will answer question at the end.
So, speak at the end of what? All the public comments. Public comments. I'm the presiding I'm presiding the meeting. So, um Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I was appalled.
Of course. by eight of you. One person actually came up with an idea and the rest of you, except for the people that voted no, became the number one bobbleheads. You were told what to do
and you did it. And if this is what your board is has come to become, why bother coming? If you're just being told what to
do, that means you really didn't take your election seriously. I thank you, Mrs. White, for saying what you said because I was very pleased that you
had an alternative item and that made sense. But what you've decided to do makes no sense. It's only going to hurt you unless you take her advice. But buy this vote
tonight. Obviously, you have no intentions of taking her advice. And that's sad. And the other thing is the fans. No offense. As a teacher, I never bought a
fan at all. But at back to school night when the parents came, I had at least four. So I guess that rule doesn't count. We didn't buy
them. Are you going to stop the parents, Mr. She? I don't know. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. Mr. Beth Talkey, 15 Midwood Avenue. Just need to be educated on this if you guys
can answer my questions. So, tonight was like the first reading where you um abolish this policy. Number one, I believe it still is state law, correct? So, okay. Well, that's my number one
question. So, if we're not following the state law, what repercussions does that have on our board and our students if something should happen? And is anything being thought of or
drafted to replace this and protect your educators in the schools if something should happen because we're not following the state laws? That's just my questions because I don't know. So, if you can explain that to me, I'd appreciate it. Moving
forward. I know. Um, so what I can tell you is that there are numerous policies that are required policies that the district has currently that um provide the required protections under state law.
Um, so that will continue. As far as an alternative plan, um, you know, that's up to the board whether or not they come up with a an alternative plan. Okay. Thank you. So, yeah, someone over here in the back.
Yeah, they raised their hand first. Okay. No, you gave me the the body language. Oh, wow. I didn't know you were a body language expert, Mr. Shei. Um, regardless, um, Edison gets $91 million of state aid for our schools. I
understand we're a very high earning district, but one thing I've always wondered is, um, if the board members could just answer my question by raising their hands, how many of you live in North Edison? Oh, I somehow I know that not all of you live in South Edison. So, I
was just wondering, unless you guys aren't allowed to answer, I'll go look up your addresses myself. But as a resident of South Edison, I've always been a little concerned by the lack of representation for the southside on our board because um South Edison is the
only place where we have six title one funded schools. So, six of our schools are six schools in Edison as a district are funded by support supplementary title one funding because we're not as we're not as
socioeconomically lucky as North Edison. So, I'm a proud graduate of Title One schools. I'm happy to say that. But it is very concerning to me that there is very little representation for South
Edison on this board and the problems that face South Edison specifically. Um I'm not going to bring up anything else about policy 5756 because frankly I think we've seen what's happened. You're all of one mind. You're all of the same
opinions. And I think some of that stems from the fact that you all live in the same place and you don't see the same kids that us in South Edison do because if you go on um any of the school ranking demographic sites, JP Stevens's
80% Asian uh demographic gets them a 32% diversity ranking, whereas Edison's 40% Asian gives us a 70% diversity ranking. So, I think you guys just need to come over to the Southside a little more. And obviously we appreciate like you know
the renovation of the Edison High School auditorium and whatnot because the last time I came to a board of education meeting it was because nobody on the board told us that our auditorium was getting renovated my senior year of high school. Um there was never any communication from the board until we
found out that we weren't allowed to cross through backstage because of asbestous. So we kind of have been at the mercy of a board. But back then when I went to that meeting um many of the people who are on this board weren't on it now. So they told us exactly what had
happened there. They said okay you should have talked to your principal said all right thank you. They gave us a spot to do our senior recitals. What I'm seeing here tonight is that nobody here has gotten any answers and nobody here has gotten any solutions either than
what u Mrs. White proposed earlier. So, I'm just really disappointed to see that this is the state of the district that I call home because I really love living in Edison and I, like I said, I'm giving my money to the board of education to
rent out the Edison's Edison's brand new auditorium and I just want to make sure that it's all being used correctly. Thank you, darling. Thank you. We're both out then. Excuse me. Excuse me. BHS. BHS. No. Yeah. just asked me so
they can answer. So I put them on to answer. She did. Okay. So I can answer the question. We have five board members from North Son, four board members from South Son. Unfortunately the board is nine. So you can't do 855 five from North and because the total
nine board members so I don't know how much more representation uh you're talking about. Yes, Joe. Joe Romano, Edison Township, a member of the South Edison side. Uh, I do
have It's not going to be a question. Uh I flew in from Jacksonville, Florida last week and uh on the plane the stewardises they actually had they
walked up and down the aisles and they said because our trip went over water that our they had life vests. under the seat. Well, what am I talking about?
Uh, a while ago, we started to renovate uh the uh auditorium at JB Stevens. We uh we took the stage out and they dug
a 25 foot pit behind it to take and to upgrade the pumping systems, you know, pump the water out because it's kind of lowlying the school. So while they were doing that there was
some rain and uh no not for nothing water got into where they were fixing. So, you know, that's I understand that.
Uh, when was it? Monday or Tuesday. Did we did the auditorium that we were we're going to use? Was there water intrusion into that? Don't answer. I because I don't
want this back and forth. Correct. So if there was water intrusion and we couldn't have the meeting at JB Stevens, okay, uh, we took and we
renovated the auditorium and when the engineers figured out that there was a problem with the ceiling and it cost $275,000 to get the asbestous is taken
out. Didn't anybody figure out that the water level? And the question that I have is because we had a custodian staff that was there doing their jobs, that custodian staff pitched in
and got the water that was intruding in the brand new renovated auditorium that we can't use. So, I'm asking, are are students at JP
Stevens, are they going to be getting uh life vests? Are they going to be is there going to be is there going to be boats hanging on the wall in case of what? What? How about if the if it rains, do we
have do we have the option to uh close school for the day? All I ask is is that accountability we spent and I don't know the exact number because you know I'm I'm dumb truck driver. I want to know
how much money we spent. How come they didn't find out that there was in the ceiling? How come there was water in the in the auditorium? And then when they finally got the water
out, they do what they had to do and it flooded out again. I'm sorry. I'm just a dumb truck driver. I don't even want to know the answers. But the people, the taxpayers,
the zero tax people, they should know that. I I I don't know. But maybe we should send our kids to JP Stevens with galashes, raincoats, and life
vests. Joe Romano from Edison Township, South Edison. Thank you. Thank you. You want to talk about the the flooding? Yeah. John, you want to go pitch in? Go ahead.
Yep. All right. So, for uh any anyone that doesn't know, I'm I'm pretty sure everyone does, it rained pretty hard yesterday, right? Uh the JP Auditorium has been under construction and it did take on water. Um after talking to our
facility staff along with uh architect and contractors, there's nothing wrong with the new pumps that have been put in. The pumps did not fail. We feel that there is or I should say the architect and and his team of professionals feel that there is an issue with uh the water
retention basin that uh lies beyond the parking lot that you know when all the water runs off and the pumps work and they go to pump out well that's all great but and they're pumping into the same uh retention basin uh for the amount of water that came down yesterday
wasn't enough to hold all of that capacity. So, um we will be having the architects along with their team come out and look uh at this retention area um and pro possibly uh reivil engineer u
that spot. Thanks. Who's going to pay for it? Is there is there something called errors and omissions? That seems to be maybe a little error. It seems to maybe not for
nothing, the zero tax people, you know them, the zero tax people, they should be aware of the pool that we have. Do we have a swim team? Maybe we get the swim team in the auditorium. Out of your
line, Mr. Romano. Okay. So, uh yeah. Uh now we answer start answering your question. Dr. Alera, you want to answer Brett Baker's question? Yeah. Yeah. Um in relationship to listen in in the event of any policy um being abolished
right for first right after its second reading in the absence of policy I'll have to follow um law. We'll have to look at existing policies that address discrimination and and first and foremost I mean the other piece too and and I think I speak on behalf of the staff and and everybody here. we do
what's in the best interest of kids all the time. So that's that's at the end at the end of our statement right there that that's exactly what we would have to do is that we have a really talented staff. We have a great administrative team. We'll follow the law. Um we'll look at guidance um and existing
policies as well. Okay. Thank you. Any other public comments? Clarify. Go to the podium. It's first reading. Two readings. Two readings. Anthony Mara Edison. I didn't follow all the votes.
It was It was a 54 vote to abolish 57 56. 63. 63. Thank you. Thank you. That was only the first reading. It's the first reading.
Yeah, David. I just want to address to some of the people who is you know opposing the abolish of this policy. David Edison. Um I mean this is the first time I'm in such a kind you know meeting hearing so
many so much negative against the parents. Why I'm sitting here I'm thinking like you know as a parents loving my kids I think I'm like you know a kind of being depicted as a kind of
very bad person harm to my kids. I think today's discussion the fundamental is that whether to get parents involved in this kind of you know decision in whatever like academics
school other policy we are already involved the parents so abolish this one is consistent to engage the parents but on the other hand I want to just like you know express my feeling
that you know as a parents we're always trying to say you know engage the kids to trust the school trust the teacher I mean the other one is regarding one of the previous board members saying you know whether the board has a m you know
mandate by the Edison residents I believe if you put a just a individual vote item whether the score should like abolish this one. I think the the margin of difference should be even much
larger. Okay. So finally I want to say that we all know parents and school teachers we are all on the same line to protect the kids to educate the kids. I mean only
all three working together we can get a better future for the kids. And just one example right for example this is like maybe one thing if you have a like say for example child of like you know age of 10
if you have to do something say make their own decision for physical surgery something like that two years later she's going to regret to me as a parents for the rest of our life it's
going to be a ruin to our family to some of you thinking that parents is not like you know is abusive. It's maybe just a you like you know failed case for you to a lot of the parents it's a ruin to the family for
their rest of the life in case it's not the real decision by the kids. Okay. I just want to say that you know in such kind of you know discussion we should treat treats, teachers
everyone as like you know trustworthy. The intention is to protect the kids and for such kind of you know discussion you should like you know should not say parents is so negative.
There may be some very few parents but most of the parents they do love their kids. They want them to you know I mean have a better future grow healthy. Same thing for for us you know like for the for whatever the school
teach you know teachers schools majority of them their purpose is try to make the kids a better future. So in such kind you know discussion we cannot use like a
very few cases to make the like make it a broader. So just hope that in the future you know parents, teachers, schools we should all involved have a you know to better educate our children. Thank you.
Thank you. Yes. Well you did you first this is yeah K you can do a second time. Yes. I know I saw it. So Oh my god.
Hello, Alex Kusca, Edison, New Jersey. Um, I wanted to appreciate Where did the person who just spoke? It was there. Sorry. Um, I wanted to appreciate a few things that you just said that you care a lot about your children. You you
address the not him directly. Okay. So I understand that for most parents and especially parents that are here, these are parents that care a lot about their children, right? And these are parents who if their kids came to them
with a decision like this about their gender identity, they would be accepting of it. And that is we have talked about it. That is not the case for all people. And I think the argument that was being made that we need to um just kind of
ignore the bad ones is sort of what I got from that cannot happen at all. Um another comment that was made about an 8-year-old getting surgery, uh gender affirming surgery. What are we talking about here? That's not even in the question ever from a medical ethical
standpoint. Why are we bringing that up? We should be talking about what is happening in schools and we should not be putting it on the district or putting it on teachers to be that communication between parents and students about
things like their gender identity. If you have a home environment and you're worrying about this as a parent, a home environment that is conducive to that, that is conducive to conversations between you and your children, then that is something that you fostered. If you have a home environment that is not
conducive to that and an environment where your child believes that they could be at harm if they came out to you, then there should be a policy in place to protect them, right? And I understand that as a parent who would never in a million years think that, oh,
my child like would think that my child should be able to come to me and the teacher should be able to tell me. I understand that it's frustrating that you want to be able to bridge that gap, but that is a gap that can be bridged at home and that is not something that needs to be mandated for teachers to
report back to the parents about. That's all. Thank you. Anybody else? I'm going to call every single one of them. No, I did not pick you. I point that at the lady in the back.
The lady there someone sitting behind you. Yeah. Unnecessary conversation. You're going to be caught. Okay. Addison residents 129 Oakwood Avenue. I just uh heard everybody saying and express yourself. Appreciate it. And I think we
came here today all wants to protect our kids right from um different uh perspective. But as a parent I think you know we are the number one teacher you know in the household. So um our parents has a you
know definitely rights and also privilege to teach our kids you know school is second um well I said the school is important to give them academic you know um um education but
parents is very important. How come uh you know you came like 57 56 or whatever the the policy number to leave the parents out you know and uh what what's going on? You don't tell the parents to leave the parents out. I think they're
totally wrong. Yeah. Well, definitely there are some, you know, um parents, you know, um I agree maybe irresponsible or they don't know how to be a parents, but I think most of parents they care
their kids, right? Just like my example, if my daughter 10 years ago, if you know uh I just fast forward if my my daughter is right now in current environment. Well, she said she want to
be a boy and the school didn't tell me. Oh, you you don't have to tell parents, right? I just shared my daughter's story, right? She said she wanted to be a boy like like her brother. I said, no, you cannot change it because God made you a girl. you cannot change it, right?
Um, and I don't want another boy. That's why they told her, right? And now she became a beautiful lady, which she still like a play boy, you know, some boy, you know, sports or whatever. But she she enjoy it, right? Her identity. I think
some kids just confused. And in school now if you're grown up 18 years or above you made decision you want to change your identity. Well that's your choice. But why so young age starting with the kindergarten you told them you can
change your identity. Confuse them. I think that's wrong. As a educator no matter how what the kids you know came to you the first thing. Oh you don't tell them. Oh yeah, you have your freedom. You can do whatever we wanted.
You have your choice. I think that's wrong. They're not mature enough. My son is already 18. I don't I still don't think he's mature enough yet. I still need to give him some advice. I know.
Exactly. So, I totally don't agree parents out of this. I believe there's some bad parents but if they're bad I think school can intervene right no problem but they
cannot take out the parents right they change the name at the school I heard some teachers say oh now is so messed up because the kids yesterday was Jenny now today is Michael right the school record is all totally messed up they don't like
it but how how you adjust this Right. I know um you know the student has the rights to do but they're not mature enough yet. How can you take out the parent parental rights from
them? Let them do the decision. Yeah of course we need to inclusive right but they are not mature enough yet. If we give them the right guidance, they probably don't want to be a Michael
or Jenny or don't want to, you know, do uh only 12. They want to do use, you know, use blocker and change their sacks, cut their breast, a penis penis. Right. Right. That's totally wrong. So
how a parents school allow that happen for them? You need to give as a school educator. We should give them the right guidance, not wrong information. They can do whatever they wanted. They're too
young. They are so young. So as a parents, we have a responsibility to give the right guidance, not the freedom. They think they can do whatever they wanted. They probably not mature enough yet.
So I totally disagree this what 57 whatever the policy take up parents you know rights to give them their kids guidance so how can I trust the school
the teachers right even you love the students very much but probably you give them a wrong value wrong advice it could it could ruin their life. Do you know how many kids regret you know when they
grow up they did some certain surgery changed their body they cannot go back their life excuse me please let let the speaker finish speak you can't do the research you can't say you don't you don't
address them address you when they grow up one day they're going to regret it can fake penis and you know we cut backster make you a real man or woman. Okay, that's it. Thank you very much.
Yes, I agree with J. What a So I I just want to clarify this policy isn't taking away rights from parents. This policy isn't saying that you cannot be a parent. This policy just allows the freedom for
children who are don't feel safe at home. And honestly, from the last person that spoke, doesn't feel like that's a nurturing environment. Your child came to you at a young age confused and scared and you said, "Excuse me, you're not confused. You're looking this way. I'm sorry."
saying that you're confused and then just spout sit here spouting just I it felt like you were just making stuff up at this point but there were 27 studies one of which Harvard was included in there where less than 1% of transgender people posts
surgery regret their decision less than 1%. I heard I heard someone cite a study well they didn't even cite it they they said 96% of transgender people regret their decision. There's there's at least five people here, right? Like it's wild.
But just coming back back here, this is truly just looking out for the safety of the children. When there's a there's a difference between looking out for your child and control. And when you really feel like you're losing control and you don't know
what's going on with your child, that's a problem between you and your child. If you have a nurturing and trusting and loving and growing environment in that household, you have nothing to worry about. This doesn't concern you. But if if you really feel like you
don't have control of your household, you really feel like this is rebelling against you and you don't get it, you don't understand, and you're not willing to learn, then I could see why you want to oppose this. I could see why the freedom scares you. But really, if you're just being there
for them, listening to them, doing actual research, and and being doing that, your child has the right for you to be that person, that intellectual person that they look up to, that person that they want to grow
up to be. But then if they come up to you genuinely confused and scared, and you're saying, "No, you don't know what you're talking about. You're confused. You know what kind of damage that does to a child? The amount of trust that gets ripped away from them when they're
just, "Oh, I guess I'm just none none of my feelings are validated. I can't come to you because you're just going to tell me that I'm I'm confused and scared." So, I I really hope you reconsider this. I know you had a bunch
of people yelling at you for the past three three and a half hours, but we're all passionate. We care. I know you guys are human, too. So, I'm sorry I got a little heated at you, too. No, no, no. Um, but like I said before, we want to
think with empathy. We want to think for the future of these kids. Just because you feel uncomfortable with things they're coming to you that you you're not sure about, that's okay. That's human. But it's up to you as a person, as a person that they look up to to try
to have that open mind and and be that person. be a little uncomfortable for a little while and and grow for that for your child because doing that little work is going to work dividends in the future and they're going to be grow up great people and that's it. Thank you. Thank
you very much. You don't need to be sorry. We got to pay the big bucks to do this. All right. Okay, Beth. Wait, she's the first. She Oh, you're the second. This is her second. Okay. All right. The first time. I'm sorry. I
thought everybody first. No, no. You want to You raised your hand. Yeah. Oh, you did the first. Okay. Anybody in the back that the first timer for the public comments? Okay. All right. Now, you can go. I'm sorry. I I I lost count. I'm lost count. It's getting
late. I know. That's all right. That's all right. That's again, we got to pay the big bucks for it. Okay. I know we're not supposed to have a back and forth, but can I ask the attorney something because then it will guide the rest. Just is pol is this policy I can't even
remember the name. 5756 5756. Is it a state law or a guided policy? It's a guided policy. No. No. Let her finish. Let her finish. I'm sorry. No. And I was and being that this has been a heated discussion and taken
up many hours, days, months of our board meetings for this. And we do have a huge district. In the past when there was things that we did not like that were done by the state whether it was you know short funding and stuff we had members of our board
because we are such a big district going reaching out to lawmakers in our state going to Trenton making phone calls to see if this policy could be revised on a state level so that we don't have to keep
going back and forth and addressing it because we've got a lot of stuff going in our schools. We are a big district and sitting here again for 4 hours and you guys giving all your time for this. There's a lot going on in our schools
that I feel like we're not addressing for running our schools on the day-to-day operations because we're spending so much time on this which is more people's values. you're either on this side or that side and we're not trying
to come up with a compromise and it's, you know, it's spending a lot of your time and it's like these people against these people instead of coming together like to find a solution or, you know, something that will kind of appease both sides. Can I I
would just clarify something. No, no, let her finish your address. No, you're clarify. Yeah. But do you understand what I'm saying? I don't want it back and forth. Okay. Yeah. I don't want it back and forth, but this has been heated going on for years that we've been discussing going back and forth and it
depends on the climate of what's going on. I'm going to say politically. I don't know what's right or wrong with it, but I think everybody on the board should get together to come up with some kind of compromise or something to
protect our educators and stuff if this is a policy that we are to follow. And if we're so against it as some people have been, have we reached out to the state to try to, you know, we we are a big name. We are, you know, a
high-erforming school district to bring this to our state legislators and law, you know, lawmakers to see if it can be revised. That's it. Thank you. Yeah, I know you have. So just to clarify, the policy
5756 is based off of DOE guidance and that's what was used in the creation of the policy. So it is policy. It is board policy which is not the same thing as statutory state law. Thank you. Any
other first timers before I call the second timer? Yes. Hi. Uh I've been sitting here. Celeste, get clo get closer. Oh, you want me to be closer? Yes, there you go. Is this close enough or is this This is good. Okay. I just want to make sure. It's not for me. It's for the people on the line. Okay. But you're Got it. You're You're
completely in control. Don't I am I am very aware of that. My name is Celeste Fiori. I am from uh Piscatoaway. I'm an attorney. Uh I'm non-binary. I'm transgender. I spent another four hours in your wonderful town. I was back I was
here in October of uh 2024. And it feels like a deja vu, but but now I know that there's actually been appellet decisions that have said to school districts who are doing this exact same thing. And the appellet court has said, you have to
have a policy and you have to follow the law. So you just heard your board attorney say to you that this is a policy that follows the law. And I'm going to actually quote one of your board members from October. Uh, I think you're just a lowly trucker. I'm sorry.
Can you hear me? Okay. You're just a lowly trucker. But you said if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it's not broken, don't mess with it. So, I'm curious as an outside observer and an attorney, why at this point in time, this board would
decide to expose itself to more to a lawsuit from the state. And of course, I'm not threatening. I don't work for them. But why would you do that? there. There were amikas on the other side, the ACLU. Unless somebody's taking money, unless somebody is coming into your campaign or I've said this before, I
don't know if you're getting weird legal advice, maybe you need to spend another $25,000 or consider where you're getting legal advice from, but Mr. Board President, why are you thinking that you want to repeal or direct your board to repeal a policy that is going to invite
lawsuits? is that I don't believe that 16 or 17,000 people elected you to bring lawsuits on your district. It doesn't make any sense. So, if something's not broke, why are you trying to fix it?
Because I I'll I'll answer my own question. It's not broke. We are not political pawns. And I I I really really want you all to maybe listen to the I'm going to I I don't know your attorney. I'm and I'm not going to address your
attorney because I'm addressing the board president, but I do hope you're taking advice from them and thinking about the level of risk that you are continuously exposing yourselves to. And I don't know if you're if this is some sort of, you know, wow, I had six minutes to do this. It was good. I'm
glad that I waited until the end. But I don't understand why after now eight hours in the last six months and perhaps you didn't watch I don't believe you were in the room. Maybe you didn't watch the YouTube video because it's almost 6 hours long. But for those of
you that were there, why are you doing this again? Is it because there are new people who are telling you that this is something to do? Again, it baffles me that if you've got construction projects that you're trying to fund that maybe some professionals going, maybe some professionals, maybe
the architect thinks that the water retention system is some sort of something, but you've spent so much time and human energy and human passion on this. And yet there's literally no legal or
factual basis on which to do this other than to expose yourself to a lawsuit. So if you got elected to play fun and games and to pay lawyers and to engage in litigation, then maybe you're doing what you believe you have a mandate to do.
But I really hope that people are watching this and maybe somebody will take a clip from this and maybe somebody will do a little bit bit of digging and ask themselves why if now there's been and now it's not a published appellet decision but now an appeal the the
appeal was ruled on in the consolidated cases. Why why why like I I I want to ask that with so many in so many different languages why you would all vote for that. I do not understand. I I seriously question your judgment. I don't know
about your integrity. I don't know you all, but I question your judgment because it makes no sense. And so I hope that the voters Oh, I still have two more minutes to keep saying this, but I hope that the people that voted for you that have your phone numbers that can
call that are going to call you and say, "Why are you doing this? Do you want to put us in the news?" Like, is this is it a publicity stunt? Is it is it about I mean I I think there's definitely some control and I think a a few people have noted
the immense need for control here and I and I think that that's indicative maybe of something larger but I I hope that you have the respect and difference to other professionals when
they when and I hope that they are telling you wow this is an incredibly It's actually, it's not even risky. It's almost, it's not even Icarus flying too close to the sun. It's literally a crash collision
course for for absolutely no return because your board attorney is going to tell you and your superintendent is going to tell you that all of the things in that policy you're are already provided for for kids under the law.
So why would you resend something that has no there's no reason to rescend it because your people are still going to have to actually effectuate a policy that you've then abolished that I think
that's absurd. That's actually I think an exercise in just complete absurdity. So, I'm glad that I'm here with you and I wish that I could really take us I wish I could take us into the next day, but well, we only have we have 18 more minutes until that happens.
Yeah, it's been fun to be here with you all and I do really do not want to have to come back here again. Thank you. Thank you. Any other Any other first timers? Any other first- timers? Yeah,
go ahead. So I can help you with that question because when I was on the board, the attorneys told us to stay far away from us and not do it and we paid them a lot of money to do it and we spoke to I think bureau talked to what six different attorneys John that we had to
pay gross up to $25,000. So we did get to seek attorneys devices and they told us to stay away with it. But Dr. because I got complete confidence in you and I hate always addressing you, but I know last time when they uh repealed
this policy, you know, it's the judgment of the superintendent. He's the one that runs the schools and you said, you know what, I'm still going to follow the policy because it's my judgment and I'm going to protect kids. So my question to you is even when this is repealed, are
you still going to follow the policy? Thank you. He already answered. You want to say it one more time? In the absence of policy, the the what I will have to do is follow law, existing policy that relates to
discrimination as well as any guidance from council um and the DOE. So, I just want to add the board is here to uh uh define policies for the school district. Superintendent doesn't define policies. You know that. Thank you very
much. I asked Excuse me. He already answered it. Okay, so ne uh the Yeah, in the back next to Brett. Uh good evening. And uh I don't think I'll use my full six, but I actually want to feel free. I'm sorry. Can you
hear me? Just check. Okay. Uh Lisa Taylor Piscataway. uh but an active member of the Middle Sex community, the broader New Jersey community, and since I was in fourth grade, tutoring third graders, have always had a concern for education and
have served uh in the beginning of my career uh as a as a public school teacher as well as a private school teacher. So, that's context. uh through the chair. I would actually like to ask the superintendent a more specific question in light of his professional
experience and expertise as an educator and an educational leader. I know that in other districts where this has been debated without being asked, the superintendent has spoken on this point. So respectfully uh board president I
would like the superintendent to answer the question of what is his professional view on the value of the existing policy because I know people have asked the question when when rescended but that vote hasn't happened yet and I would
hope that the board members continue to think between now and the second reading about what their vote will be then and I think that the community benefits from the superintendent's professional view based on all of his years of experience and it's with respect that I ask that
question through you. Thank you. You want to say? Yeah. Yeah. Sure. Um you can feel free to sit down. The purpose of policy is to guide is to is to guide staff is to guide myself. It's to guide the way that we currently
operate, right? Um so and again you through the chair uh if I if I don't answer the question it's entirely yes you may be able to repeat it but but in the absence of that professionally what I will have to do is
utilize the tools that are accessible to me right and that's experience and that's doing things that are in the best interest of kids based on a case-by case basis also right I mean as an educator there are different ways to handle different situations especially when it comes to kids, especially when it comes
to families, right? Um so in the absence of policy um law and it it is left up to my discretion in in a certain case to be honest with you. Um but I will have to follow law. I will
have to follow existing policy that that f that addresses specifically discrimination. Um, and in the absence of that, we we're going to have to give staff a clear-cut understanding of how to how to make sure that, you know, our kids are safe,
right? And and I I think I speak for everybody in our in this room. And as I said before, that's that's what we want to do. I don't know if that answered it in its entirety. That's fine. So, next, it's a quarter to 12. I'm I'm at the 5:00 a.m. club, so my brain's a little uh I realize that the clock didn't even
run on me. Excuse me. You already have your time, so you can come back. Did it run to six? I don't think it's No, no. There's no back and forth. Once you answer finish your question, we answer it and you can come back later. I understand. Okay. That's that's a procedure. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
Yes. Any first- timers before I call the second? You you you went before three minutes. You want you want to speak? No, I did not. Okay. Because you want I didn't know if you raised. Okay. I don't want to miss anyone. Yes. You go ahead. Oh, not really.
Um, so I'd like to rebut something from a little bit before regarding parents and how some of us feel about this policy and how we feel about our parents. Like I said, I'm here with my dad. My dad drove me here. My dad loves me a lot, but my dad hasn't always
understood me. Um, mostly because I'm very loud and very annoying and he's he wants me to go to business school. And I said, "No, I want to go study political science." And after a while, he accepted that. But again, not every dad is like my dad, and not every parent is like
some of the parents in this room. From New Jersey government's 2023 domestic violence statistical summary, um, there were 70,828 domestic violence incidents reported by the police in 2023, which was a 5% increase from 2022. Um,
unfortunately, 2024's data is not up on the New Jersey Gov website yet. Um, moving on. Children were actively involved or present during 16,858 incidents or 24% of all domestic violence incidents occurring in 2023.
This is not to say that all of these had to do with queer children or trans children or anything at all to do with policy 5756. It is just a statement on the fact that not every parent is as caring as the ones in here today.
Additionally, just to bring real statistics to the satisfaction rates of stu of children who children as well as anybody who gets transitional surgery um from NPR only four part four% of
participants which was nine kids out of 220 from a study done by Jamma Pediatrics which um looked specifically into trans teenagers pursuing medical intervention ions like puberty blockers
and hormones. Teenagers cannot get surgeries um without parental consent. That that's not a thing that's happening when we're talking about children and teenagers getting medical aspects of their transition. It is usually hormonal blockers. It is puberty blockers and
hormones. Um, out of these 220 families that were surveyed, only 4% of participants, which was again nine out of 220 expressed regret with any aspect of their care. And when researchers were
asked more about these regrets, what they said was they wish they hadn't done blockers and they'd gone straight to hormones or maybe they had a negative side effect related to the blockers. And these regrets are not the same as regretting transitioning at all. So I
heard a 96% regret statistic. I think that this is that 4% being misinterpreted. And I just wanted to have that on the record for the YouTube video to ensure that all of the statistics are being provided for. And once again, this is a report by NPR from
Jimma Pediatrics. And the domestic violence statistics I cited were from NJ.gov. Thank you. Thank you very much. Yes. Go ahead. You're next. Oh, no. Brad Baker next. You didn't raise your hand. Oh, okay.
Gerald Malio again, Dolores Turo Foundation. Uh, just wanted to clarify a couple things. Uh thing number one, um 85% of children who have gender dysphoria will come to grips with their biological sex by the time they're in
their early 20s. Um that's absolute standard research. Um well, I appreciate the information. I I to talk to me. Okay. Yes. Well, I appreciate your information and the fact that um you know, your your students here do research and do look up. Um I do want to
point out that um these studies do show um and and these are ones that go to the um insurance companies the number of of uh um transgender that have
um had clinical treatments that desist means they discontinue and do not continue those treatments. Um that started between 15 and 19 72.7% desist. that means they stop. That means they change their mind and do not continue on the transgender. Um so
that's through insurance companies statistics. Um and then the only other thing I wanted to mention, there was a couple things mentioned about um children with transgender. I just want to point out the um the new standards, the sex uh health 2020 health and
physical education standards require that by second grade students are introduced to gender identity. So in second grade they're told that, you know, they may not be their biological sex, but by fifth grade they're introduced to um the fact that they can
take puberty blockers to uh to stop their uh the de their normal development. So those things are part of the curriculum if you wanted to take a look at the 2020 curriculum. Just wanted to clarify those couple things. Okay. Uh
Brett a handful of things to rebut in my life right now. Uh Brett Baker Addison, New Jersey. Um my friend from Neptune, I I I would through the chair. We're giving a lot of credit to the New Jersey Department of Education for writing really specific standards that just flat out don't exist. I'm sorry. I've read
them. I've run elementary schools. What you cited is factually incorrect. Um the you know the the proudest moment of my life prior to getting married and having children uh was getting accepted into a
teaching program that brought me out to New Jersey. Uh Jerry, you know the story well. Ralph, you know the story well as well. Um the second proudest moment was in 2010 when I opened and founded my own school. And so I I I can empathize with Dr. Alderelli's uh moment right now. It
is 11:54 p.m. I know the man gets up early. I regret to inform you I get up earlier. Um and and here's and I just want to walk the YouTube public through this and those of us who are still awake here
through what's going to happen in Dr. Elder's rule world for the next six hours. Um the man's got to figure out how to to answer the following question um that I got from a teacher today. who said a student once confided in her
that they wanted to use the pro pronouns they them and then that student proceeded to say but please don't tell my parents and I saw that nod and I appreciate that nod that's a real that's a real thing that happens in our schools believe it or
not and absent 5756 well let's just entertain the world present 5756 for a moment right present 5756 that teacher had the the ability to say, "Are you safe? Are you cared for?" Operate under every possible sort of
safety checks that as educators were licensed to to conduct to support that student through this sort of moment. Absent 5756, it's sort of at the discretion of the teacher how to handle
it. You can shake your head no, Jerry, but it is. And here's here's here's the fact and here's where I want to draw with this and this is going to and I got to start with there is no disrespect to the school my child goes to but absent how a how a grade level communicates to
a family kindergarten my kindergarten experience is vastly different than my first grade experience because at James and the kindergarten teachers communicate with families different than the first grade families. Now we extrapolate that to the conversation about a student's gender identity and I I stress gender identity because gender identity is different than sexual
identity. Sexual identity is the fact that I was born with a penis and I've got XY chromosomes. Gender identity is that I identify as a as a as a male, but it's okay if I identify as a female or I identify as nothing. And that's okay. But the absent policy that supports how
to navigate that, every single teacher in this district tomorrow morning is going to wake up wondering how do I handle it? And this district is illprepared to answer that question. This is not a discrimination conversation. This is how to support students having that. This is not
discrimination. This is not about discrimination. This is about how to support a student who has this conversation with themselves who needs support through it and how do we support it? And the last thing that I would want as a school leader or as a district leader is
hundreds of adults doing a hundred different things. because I can tell you right now I would sue the pants off this district the minute my son got different experiences
related to that. So just something to consider for those of you who are you know becoming bobbleheads in this moment. You you are board members who represent the district who create policy. Yes, we've heard that
loud and clear. What you've done is you've removed policy and absent the creation of policy, there's nothing. And I would agree that that in and of itself opens you to litigation. But more importantly is that tomorrow morning, I'm almost at midnight, but I know I'm
at my time anyways. Is that I got I got I got teachers that I love and care about. I got staff that I love and care about who are going to wake up tomorrow morning not knowing how to handle this because you're correct. It is guidance. Breath. Sorry. And I'm sorry too that
tomorrow, huh? I'm sorry that tomorrow is it running educators don't have this guidance because you've removed this guidance. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You got 18 minutes to hold 18 minutes. I gave you every
minute, right? So I said I try to enforce the rule this time because we have a lot of people and it's getting to midnight. So you you did get your three minutes. Yes. Go ahead. Hi everyone. I'm Cal still. North
Brunswick still. Um really uh thank you all for illuminating the politics behind the situation. It's kind of weird, but it's also kind of nice to know that it's like, oh, it's we're trying to make politics moves here. We don't actually like necessarily hate trans people. We just don't care enough. Like that's kind
of, you know, that's nice to know. Um, there's a lot of uh interesting misinformation that's happened um that's been commented on. Um, I love hearing commentary that I'm not a real man. It's pretty cool. Um, I did want to mention that I am happier as a fake man than I
ever was as a real woman. Um, and then I just wanted to touch on everyone's really concerned about cisgender children uh being mutilated and having like permanent damage done to their bodies, but no one seems to care that
transgender kids are getting regularly forced into natal puberty, having to do things like, you know, having their bodies grow in ways that they don't want and they have to surgically correct later. Um, I did not want like I don't know why, you know, I'm sure there are men out there who have breasts and
they're fine with it, but like as a man I did not want to have breasts, right? And so, um, getting the surgery to correct that would not have been necessary if we had known about transgender people when I was in high school and if we had supported them and we had puberty blockers as an option. So
if we really think that kids aren't mature enough to decide and it's not just oh we don't think trans people are real then puberty blockers are actually the solution that we should default to until we think they are actually ready to decide. Thanks.
Thank you. Any other uh public comments? See none. Can I motion? Motion to close public comments. I have a second. I second. All in favor? I. Okay. Board member comments. Any board member, any final thoughts?
Mr. She? Yes. Um, even though uh no one commented on Mrs. uh White's comment about uh looking at an alternative policy or alternative plans, we did discuss that back in close session. Um and I agree with Mrs. White. Uh, one of
the things I did say was that we need to look at something to uh, again a policy that helps the staff, helps the students. Um, so I just wanted to mention Mrs. White
uh, that you know she she has a point. So we'll go from there. Okay. Thank you. Any other board members? Excuse me. Any other board members? Nope. Nope. See none. Can I have a motion to adjourn the uh the uh the
meeting? Motion to adjurnn. Second. I That's my That's my position. Meeting adjourned. Thank you. See you guys next Tuesday.