Legal group gives district 20 days to rescind Policy 5756 or face federal litigation.
Washington Township, NJ – The Westwood Regional School District is facing a potential federal lawsuit after a national legal organization formally challenged its transgender student policy, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
In a letter dated March 25, attorneys from the Thomas More Society notified Board of Education President Jason Garcia that Policy 5756 could be unlawful under the Court’s ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta. The group, representing a parent with a child in the district, is demanding the policy be rescinded or significantly revised within 20 days.
“I write to you in regard to the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Mirabelli v. Bonta… on the Westwood Regional School District’s Policy 5756 concerning ‘Transgender Students,’” the letter states.
Key Points
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- Thomas More Society threatens lawsuit over Westwood Policy 5756
- Legal group cites Supreme Court ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta
- District given 20 days to rescind or revise policy before litigation
Legal challenge centers on parental notification
The letter argues that Policy 5756 allows school staff to recognize a student’s gender identity and potentially support a social transition without parental notification, which the attorneys claim conflicts with the Supreme Court’s recent decision.
“The Supreme Court’s decision in Mirabelli is directly applicable… to the extent they do not provide—or even forbid—parental notification and otherwise bypass parental control,” the letter states.
Attorneys further claim that school personnel may “begin a ‘social transition’ in secret and even over parental objection,” a point they argue raises constitutional concerns.
District warned of imminent legal action
The Thomas More Society said it will move forward with federal litigation if the district does not act within the specified timeframe.
“In view of the flagrant illegality of Policy 5756… if within 20 days… the Board of Education fails to rescind [it]… we will commence federal court litigation on behalf of our client,” the letter states.
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The organization also pointed to prior controversy surrounding the policy, noting it had been repealed in December 2023 before being reinstated in February 2024.
As of now, Westwood Regional School District officials have not publicly responded to the letter.
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