Pennacchio & Durr Express Support for Hanover School District Policy to Keep Parents Informed

Senators Oppose Effort by Attorney General Platkin to Block Policy that Respects Parental Rights

Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Ed Durr expressed support for a policy adopted by the Hanover Township Board of Education that requires staff to notify parents when they become aware of anything that may impact a student’s well-being. They said an effort by Attorney General Platkin to stop the policy from being implemented is misguided.

“Attorney General Platkin is trying to make this an LGBTQ issue, but that is not what the policy is about,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Hanover should be applauded for making a real effort to ensure that parents are informed of anything that could impact the mental or physical well-being of their children. I stand 100% with the Board of Education and with parents who know best how to care for their kids.”

On Tuesday, the school district adopted Board Policy 8463, which requires school staff members “to notify appropriate school administrators and a student’s parents whenever the staff member is made aware of any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact on a student’s physical and/or mental health and/or social/emotional well-being, including but not limited to the following issues: substance use; tobacco/vaping use; alcohol use; firearms; peer/academic/athletic pressures; school performance; eating disorders; suicide; self-harm; anxiety; depression; fatigue; isolationism / anti-social behaviors / social withdraw; truancy; theft; vandalism; unlawful activity; violent or aggressive behavior; preoccupation with anti-social music; pornography; sexual activity; sexuality; sexual orientation; transitioning; gender identity or expression; gang affiliation; obsessive compulsive behaviors; familial/cultural challenges; harassment; intimidation; or bullying.”

Even though the policy identifies dozens of areas of potential concern for school district staff to monitor, the Attorney General’s Office filed a civil rights complaint saying it targets LGBTQ students.

“It’s no surprise that the Murphy administration is again opposing transparency and parental rights,” said Durr (R-3). “While Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin seem to believe that the cold embrace of a government social worker is all that any child needs to thrive, we believe parents are the best caregivers for their children. Hanover is absolutely right to try to ensure that parents are made aware of any of the dozens of concerns identified by the new policy that could impact the well-being of their children.”