The most contentious part of the meeting involved the debate around abolishing Policy 5756, which dictates how the school addresses cases of students’ gender identity and parental notification. Opinions were divided among the board members and the community, with some advocating for the protection of parental rights and transparency, while others emphasized the need to support students’ identities and ensure their safety and well-being.

Resident Michael Pontillo expressed concern about the potential harm caused by withholding information from parents, stating, “Anytime you separate information from a parent, it creates division in the family.” Kristen Pedersen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement, asserting, “It’s not the school’s place to keep information about somebody’s child from them.”

Andrea Kor, a crisis counselor, voiced her apprehension about repealing the policy, emphasizing the potential impact on student safety. Laura Nicholson raised concerns about the board’s tendency to push through policies quickly and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

Resident James Parrino expressed concern about the potential safety issues of including transgender students in gender-segregated activities such as sports, stating, “I don’t necessarily want my daughter to pitch a softball game as a freshman who might be playing against a senior boy who identifies as a girl because of the strength at which they could hit a ball.”

In response to the concerns raised, Stacey Price, a board member, argued that repealing the policy could create a further divide between parents and children. She emphasized that the policy was the only one in place to protect students in danger at home. There was a debate about whether repealing the policy would leave a void in guiding the school staff on how to approach certain situations.

The meeting also focused on complaints about certain books in the school’s resource material, including “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “This One Summer,” “Me Earl and the Dying Girl,” “We Are the Ants,” and “The Bluest Eye.” The board had received memorandums from Dr. Santino of the Middle School regarding these complaints. A committee, including various school representatives, unanimously recommended actions based on the appropriateness of these books for middle school students. The primary concern was the suitability of content, with some labeled as pornographic, although no specific citations were initially provided. The committee reviewed around 2,000 pages to identify the problematic content.

The board acknowledged the impracticality of expecting staff members to read every page of books purchased in packs. The books in question were not part of the curriculum but additional reading resources. The committee recommended that “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “This One Summer” remain accessible, while “Me Earl and the Dying Girl,” “We Are the Ants,” and “The Bluest Eye” were suggested to be moved to a higher age group.

The meeting also discussed the contributions of retiring high school custodian Frank D. Pasqual, who had served the district for 48 years. Board President Michael Pontillo, in his final report, praised the high school football team for their championship win and emphasized the importance of unity and respect in the community.

The board also acknowledged the district’s financial progress, with Keith A. Rosado, the liaison, providing updates on the school audit and announcing the receipt of HVAC system grants. The student representatives presented reports from the preschool, middle school, and high school, covering various activities and achievements, such as the winter curriculum, educator recognitions, student internships, academic workshops, and community service projects.

Outgoing board members Irene Fenarjian and James Parrino were thanked for their service to the district. Resolutions recognizing their dedicated service were passed unanimously. The search for a new superintendent was also a point of discussion, with the Superintendent Search Committee report detailing the criteria for the new superintendent, survey responses, and the number of applicants for the position.