A New Jersey judge has issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking three school districts from enforcing new policies that require staff to inform parents if their child changes their gender identity. The decision comes after New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin sued the districts, arguing that the policies pose a risk to the safety of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students. Monmouth County Judge David Bauman sided with the Attorney General, stating that the policies could have a disparate impact on these vulnerable students. However, Bauman clarified that his ruling does not constitute a final judgment and is pending the outcome of a larger civil rights case related to the issue.

The three school districts affected by the ruling are Middletown Township, Marlboro Township, and Manalapan-Englishtown. These districts had previously agreed to temporarily suspend their new policies while the issue is being resolved. Platkin emphasizes that the state is not targeting parental rights but is seeking to reinstate previous school policies that protected the rights of transgender students and allowed schools to inform parents based on individual assessments of a child's needs.

The New Jersey Board of Education expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing that parents will be left in the dark during the resolution process, which could take years. An attorney for the board stated that the decision hampers the school district's ability to notify parents about important issues involving their children. The board is exploring options for an appeal.

Judge Bauman hopes that a decision can be reached expeditiously, and that a consensus can be reached between the state and the districts on a policy of parental disclosure that respects the civil rights of transgender students while also acknowledging the right of parental oversight.

The three districts, with a combined total of 18,000 students, implemented the policies in an effort to provide more transparency for parents regarding their children's day-to-day lives. Some parents support the disclosure policy, arguing that the state should not interfere in their private lives. However, Governor Phil Murphy, whose children have already graduated from high school, criticized the policies as illegal and harmful, labeling them as part of an ongoing "culture war."

Platkin's lawsuits against the districts claim that the policies violate state discrimination laws and put transgender students at risk by outing them to their parents. He views the judge's decision as a major victory for civil rights, particularly for LGBTQIA+ students.

Attorneys for the Marlboro, Manalapan-Englishtown, and Middletown school districts expressed disappointment with the ruling. They assert that the decision was based on the status quo and did not rule on the merits of the policy. The attorneys are considering appealing the decision and believe that schools should not be required to hide information from parents, as parent communication is a primary focus in every other aspect of operating a school district.

The issue remains highly controversial, with strong arguments on both sides. The court will continue to weigh the merits of the case, with the ultimate goal of finding a resolution that protects the rights of transgender students and respects parental involvement in their children's lives.