The board says the bill strengthens the relationship between the district and families. Advocates say it could endanger LGBTQ+ kids.
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COLTS NECK, NJ — The Colts Neck Township Board of Education adopted a Parental Bill of Rights at a recent board meeting, despite concerns raised by community members and LGBTQ+ advocates over the bill.
The Parental Bill of Rights, which was adopted at the board’s Nov. 19 meeting, outlines various rights that parents have when it comes to the curriculum that their students are being taught, as well as student health services, privacy, and parental input.
Though the board said the bill strengthens the relationship between Colts Neck schools and student families, and brings some of the district's existing policies together into one document, the measure drew criticism from community members and local advocacy organizations, who raised concerns over parts of the bill, such as:
At the board meeting, advocates and county residents argued that adopting the bill could lead to Colts Neck’s LGBTQ+ students being outed to their families without their consent, placing them in what could be a potentially dangerous or hostile home situation.
Larissa Garcia, a community organizer with the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Garden State Equality, offered testimony at the meeting on behalf of Lauren Albrecht, the organization's senior director of advocacy and organizing.
In her statement, Albrecht said she regularly fields calls from families in the Colts Neck School District who are concerned by the board’s actions, and questioned what the board’s endgame is by adopting the Parental Bill of Rights, and what message they are sending to LGBTQ+ students and staff.
“The proposed policy acknowledges that schools must follow New Jersey state law,” Albrecht said. “So why introduce a policy that skirts the edges of laws that cannot be broken without penalty, and creates gray areas for school staff who know the law, but may feel pressured by the introduction of this policy by what is essentially their governing body to adhere to this?”
“...Parents have always had rights. That has not changed nor been altered,” Albrecht continued. “And LGBTQ students have the right to be safe and supported at school so that they can focus on learning and just being kids. Just because you can introduce a policy like this — and you can, because the law still stands — absolutely does not mean you should.”
Jacqueline Sophia London, a transgender actress from Keyport, also spoke out at the meeting against the bill and urged the district to consider how it could negatively impact students.
“I lived in fear my entire life of coming out as transgender,” London said. “It wasn't until the age of 35 that I finally had the courage to do it after multiple suicide attempts, including shooting myself."
"It is the younger generation and their bravery to come out and be themselves and to see people in schools and their peers accepting that — that's what gave me the courage to come out and be myself," London continued.
London went on to say that she feels she owes it to kids in school today to fight for them, and that by supporting the Parental Bill of Rights, the board is taking something away from students and could be hurting them.
“I know that all of you parents think that your kids would come out to you and they would tell you what’s going on, but if they really felt comfortable, they would,” London said. “The problem is, so many don’t.”
By adopting the Parental Bill of Rights, London said the board and supporters of the bill are sending a message to students that it’s not safe for them to come out, and that schools need to take care of and protect students’ mental health.
“I urge all of you not to pass this,” London said. “We don’t need kids in graves. We need kids graduating from your schools.”
While many spoke at the board meeting in opposition to the Parental Bill of Rights, some attendees also spoke in support of the bill and argued that it encourages transparency between the district and student families.
Shawn Highland, the director of advocacy at the New Jersey Family Policy Center, thanked the board for introducing the Parental Bill of Rights, which he described as “a common-sense policy.”
Highland went on to say that the bill doesn’t create rights for parents, but rather recognizes and organizes rights already protected under existing federal law.
He added that parents in Colts Neck want what’s best for their children, and argued that school policies “should reflect that reality.”
“Parents are not only taxpayers, they are primary stakeholders in public education,” Highland said. “They nurture, protect and guide their children every day, and they deserve transparency.”
Valentina Mendez, a current member of the Marlboro Township Board of Education, also spoke in support of the bill in her capacity as a parent (not on behalf of the board), and said the bill’s rights create “a clear and respectful framework that protects children, empowers families, and strengthens the bond between home and school.”
“What I appreciate most about what is being presented is that it’s not about politics,” Mendez said. “It’s about restoring trust, strengthening communication, and ensuring that parents and schools work together.”
Following the public comment portion of the meeting, Colts Neck Board of Education President Angelique Volpe thanked attendees for taking the time to speak and said the board has heard and respects the viewpoints shared.
By adopting the Parental Bill of Rights, Volpe went on to say that the board has made its position “unmistakably clear,” and that parental rights will remain at the forefront of every decision they make.
“Parents are the primary authority in their children’s education, and this district will never sideline that role,” Volpe said. “Every child in Colts Neck will be protected, respected, and treated equally without exception. And we will not permit any sexual content, ideology, or identity to take priority over the rights of our families or the educational mission of our schools.”
“No group’s sexuality will override the values or rights of others. Period,” Volpe continued. “This board stands firm, united and unwavering. Our commitment to academic excellence, child safety, and parental authority is absolute, and we will defend these principles without hesitation.”
Now that the Parental Bill of Rights has been adopted, the bill will take effect immediately and guide the development and implementation of all district policies and practices regarding parent involvement and student welfare, according to the bill.
To read the full Parental Bill of Rights, you can click here. To watch a full recording of the Nov. 19 meeting, you can watch here.
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