Fred Snowflack originally published this at InsiderNJ.

About 50 students walked out of the township high school last Monday to support protection for transgender students.

Many followed up and pressed the issue at that night’s board of education meeting.

All that was to no avail, as the board rescinded a state-driven transgender student protection policy known by its numerical designation – 5756.

One may have thought student sentiments on something like this would carry weight. The policy, after all, impacts students much more than it does anyone else.

But this was about politics, or rather, political symbolism. And that trumped student sentiment.

The “culture wars” surrounding public education were a big deal in the run-up to last fall’s legislative election with Republicans centering their campaign on opposing “woke” education standards.

As a statewide political issue, this strategy turned out to be a dud. Democrats gained six Legislative seats.

But in the many school board races across the land, the results were mixed.

In this Morris County town, a three-person conservative leaning slate won election.

So, it was just about a foregone conclusion that policy 5756 would be history. And on this night, it was repealed in a 6-4 vote.

The ironic part of all this is that state law protects transgender students from discrimination. That’s not going to change.

The gist of the policy says transgender students must be respected and that teachers and other staffers are not required to inform parents of a child’s gender identity or expression.

Supporters say this policy not only protects students, but that it also insulates the district from liability. With no formal policy guiding teachers and staff, the district is without legal protection if problems arise.

Board Member Carol Scheneck, who is a lawyer and who voted no on the repeal, made that specific point.

That did not matter and that was no surprise given the 2024 make-up of the board.

Some of those speaking out against 5756 framed the debate as much more than it is.

One speaker said the legalization of gay marriage in the state more than a decade ago has prompted a “tsunami” of changes to how sexuality is viewed and practiced.

Another man spoke of a “neo-Marxist” public school agenda. which is typical rhetoric on the far right.

Republican Dawn Fantasia, who represents the district (the 24th) in the state Assembly, said it’s simply wrong to keep information about kids from their parents.

In contrast, many of the students who implored the board to keep the policy said a repeal would “hurt” children.

As one speaker said:

“This policy has made trans kids everywhere feel safer and more comfortable in school.”

As others explained, not every teenager struggling with gender identity has a welcoming environment at home.

One student said she was not transgender, but that:

“I want my friends to feel safe.”

The vote ends the matter in Roxbury – sort of.

As was pointed out, some school districts that repealed the 5756 policy have reinstated it. There is also the fear of litigation.

As stated, the vote here – and in some other districts in New Jersey – was more symbolism than real. Or in this case, taking a strong stand against a “liberal, woke agenda.”

If that was the board’s goal in Roxbury, consider it accomplished.