Galloway School Board Faces Heated Debate Over Policy 5756 on Parental Rights
- Meeting Overview:
During the recent Galloway School Board meeting, discussions surrounding policy 5756 captured attention, generating both tension and spirited public comment. The policy, which addresses parental rights concerning student gender identity disclosures, drew sharp criticism from several attendees who expressed concerns over its implications for parental authority. The debate was marked by disruptions and vocal opposition from the audience, prompting the school board president to call the meeting out of order amidst chants demanding the repeal of the policy.
1:04:36One speaker criticized the disruptions, emphasizing the need for professionalism during school board meetings and condemning the chaos as disrespectful. Father Jim Hutkins took a firm stance against the policy, arguing it undermines parental rights and should not position schools as the primary authority on gender identity matters. Drawing on historical comparisons, Hutkins claimed the situation paralleled communist indoctrination tactics in Europe, insisting that parents be fully informed about their children’s situations.
Another attendee, Gary Herow, questioned the board members’ reliance on support from the Galloway Teachers’ Education Association. Herow expressed concern over the board’s vulnerability to dissenting votes and criticized the need for a significant supporter turnout. Similarly, Kelly Grace, a long-time resident, highlighted confusion over teachers feeling “hurt,” asserting that discussions about policy 5756 should focus solely on parental rights and arguing that parents deserve to be informed about their children’s circumstances.
AJ Mass added a different perspective, noting the small percentage of students affected by the policy, which he argued was designed to protect children who may not feel safe disclosing their identities to their parents. Mass emphasized that child welfare should take precedence, cautioning against conflating parental rights with the need for protecting vulnerable students.
The debate underscored deep divisions within the community regarding policy 5756, with proponents arguing it safeguards student safety and autonomy, while opponents claimed it erodes parental authority.
29:30In addition to policy 5756, the meeting also addressed budgetary concerns. Superintendent Stephen Santilli and Business Administrator Joy Nixon presented the fiscal year 2026 budget preparations, emphasizing collaborative efforts to create a balanced budget. The discussion covered the impact of state funding constraints, the expiration of ARP funding, and anticipated reductions in federal funding that could result in a loss of approximately $560,000. The board acknowledged a $1.6 million increase in state aid due to categorical aids but noted that the district remained underfunded, receiving only about 50% of what was calculated as needed based on state formulas.
The board discussed the proposed budget’s adequacy, considering a 2% tax levy cap allowing for an increase of approximately $743,000. Additional adjustments to exceed the cap through healthcare cost adjustments and Bank cap provisions were recommended, resulting in a total tax impact of approximately $28,868.01. The need for this increase was attributed to rising expenditures, including salary increases, benefits, and transportation costs. The anticipated deficit of $1.7 million, largely due to insufficient state funding, prompted administrative efforts to mitigate it by examining enrollment trends and maintaining manageable class sizes.
Funding for the extended school year, dependent on federal funding through IDEA, was also discussed, with concerns raised about its financial viability. The board emphasized the challenges of balancing the budget while meeting educational needs and fiscal constraints.
45:51The meeting further touched on the Educational Services program and creative planning needs in light of potential reductions in federal funding. Clarifications were made regarding the impact of USDA cuts to the school lunch program, noting that the district was not currently facing significant impacts from these changes. The board moved forward with the submission of the 2025-2026 budget, totaling $79,905,556 with a local tax levy of $38,213,658.
Reports from the superintendent and the attorney highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts to advance the district despite financial challenges. The meeting also covered student enrollment and out-of-district suspension reports, approved curriculum and instruction items, and addressed personnel matters, including retirement acceptances.
Stephen Santilli
School Board Officials:
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
03/17/2025
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Recording Published:
03/17/2025
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Duration:
106 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Highly Noteworthy
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Atlantic County
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Towns:
Galloway
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