The policy is expected to be adopted June 20
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP -- Hopewell Valley Regional School District may soon be joining a growing number of school districts across the state and country that are adopting policies aimed at accommodating transgender students.
A file photo of an all-gender restroom on Rowan University's campus. The school board voted this month to introduce the policy and is expected to adopt it June 20.
"The policy itself is not really controversial. It simply documents how the district is already working with transgender students," board president Lisa Wolff said. "First, the responsibility for determining a student's gender identity rests with the student, and second, all students regardless of the underlying reason, will have options to ensure their safety, privacy and comfort."
The board began working on the policy last year and met with Garden State Equality. The guidelines, which address both transgender and gender nonconforming students, follow existing state and federal laws, they said.
Schools, for example, should use names and pronouns that students prefer and maintain students' privacy as best as possible.
The new policy also says students should be able to use the bathroom and locker room that correlates with their gender identity and, where available, be able to use a single-stall "gender neutral" restroom such as in the health office.
East Windsor Regional Schools, Princeton Public Schools and West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District have passed similar policies.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.