The Middletown Board of Education disappoints on trans policy. This is why.

I watched with pride and gratitude as my two youngest children graduated from Middletown High School South. Just like their older brother, who graduated just one year prior, they were admitted into competitive colleges and did not receive a single college rejection among the three of them.

As they walked up to receive their diplomas, I thought of the quality of their education, the outstanding teachers and, in addition to their own hard work, the good opportunities that were afforded to them. My pride turned to shame only a few days later, on Tuesday night, when the Middletown Board of Education voted to change the state education policy toward transgender youth in schools. While for most this is hardly a relatable topic, for some small minority populations, having legal protections is vital.

In 2018, after months of research, data analysis and meetings with transgender individuals and families, Garden State Equality, a long-standing

LGBTQ+ advocacy group, helped develop standards that would be used to guide education policymakers in New Jersey. Following the recommendations of informed advocates, especially for vulnerable youth in education, benefits all residents by creating a safe and supportive education system.

The Middletown Board of Education, without conducting any parental surveys, data analysis or community meetings, voted to omit critical protections for transgender youth and violate state law, opening the door to lawsuits and the waste of taxpayer money.

Even if the issues facing transgender youth may seem irrelevant to some, think of it this way: The role of the BOE is to comply with state law. What if, instead of cooperating with established rules and guidelines, a local BOE can omit or modify rules based on personal or political opinions? Or, even worse, based on outright ignorance?

I think many people would find that irresponsible and even dangerous. New Jersey has ranked very high nationally for the quality of education in this state

— in part due to the high standards and rigorous curriculum developed at the state level. If we fail to maintain those high standards and policies, all our children will suffer.

I have encouraged my children to work hard and value a good education and even advocate for themselves when appropriate. With the help and guidance of good teachers, they have received a good education based on a rigorous curricula and varied knowledge.

It is sad to me to see the Middletown Board of Education (with the exception of Ms. Wright) reject law, knowledge and facts. Perhaps they need to go back to school and have a lesson or two with the hard-working teachers in Middletown to learn on how to comply with rules and understand how public policy is crafted or, if not, graduate with the F they deserve.

Allison Wrede lives in Middletown.