Transgender Student Policy Before Highland Park Board of Education Monday Night

Highland Park, NJ - The Highland Park Board of Education will be asked to vote Monday night, May 23, on what is being called one of the most progressive transgender student policies in the state.

The policy would allow students to use any bathroom, locker room or try out for any sports team based on their declared gender. While other school districts in the state, such as South Brunswick, have said they accommodate transgender students, few districts have a written policy on the books when it comes to transgender student issues.

It was created by Highland Park schools superintendent Scott Taylor; school board member Michelle McFadden-DiNicola; a parent of a transgender child in the district and a psychologist who specializes in gender issues.

The policy has received positive support from the community, and will likely be approved by the board Monday evening, Board president Darcie Cimarusti previously told Patch. New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone will show his support for it with a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday at Highland Park High School. Pallone, a Democrat, represents New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Sayreville and Asbury Park.

Highland Park's proposal was already written and well underway to being approved before the Obama administration issued its controversial directive on May 13, instructing public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms and other school facilities that match their gender identity.

Highland Park's proposal comes after North Carolina House Bill 2, known as HB2, was signed into law, which says the bathroom a person uses is determined by his or her biological gender at birth.

The Highland Park Board of Education meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday.