Acupuncture in Hanover, NJ

A state Superior Court has temporarily prohibited the Hanover Township Board of Education from implementing a policy that would require school staff to disclose to parents the gender identity and sexual orientation of its LGBTQ+ students.

The order remains in effect until the court can hear arguments from both sides on May 30.

The Board of Education approved the policy Tuesday night in a divided vote. It requires teachers to report to parents and to school administrators "any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact" on a student’s well being because of a range of factors. Gender identity and sexual orientation are among those factors, which include depression, academic and athletic performance, and bullying.

The court order, issued Friday, was made in response to an emergency request filed by state Attorney General Matthew Platkin after he sued the school district Wednesday for implementing the policy, which the state says would effectively require teachers to "out" LBGTQ+ students.

More:NJ attorney general sues Hanover school district over policy on LGBTQ students

The school district has said its policy is not discriminatory and that it will "vigorously defend" itself. Court arguments from the two parties are expected to begin May 30, according to a statement released by the Attorney General's Office.

"We are gratified that the Superior Court has temporarily prohibited the Hanover Township Board of Education from implementing its policy requiring school staff to out LGBTQ+ youth to their parents," Platkin said in a statement Friday evening. "We look forward to presenting our argument to the court."

The state's lawsuit challenges only the inclusion of language in the policy on gender identity, LGBTQ+ and transitioning students, which it says violates state law by discriminating against the protected categories of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Schools in New Jersey are required to accept a student's preferred gender identity and pronouns without parental consent, according to the state's Law Against Discrimination and the state Department of Education's Transgender Student Guidance issued in 2018.

The attorney general's lawsuit says the new policy adopted by Hanover Township not only violates state law but is in contradiction with its own existing transgender student policies.

Staff Writer Kaitlyn Kanzler contributed to this story

The state Attorney General's Office has filed a civil rights complaint against the Hanover Township school district and requested an emergency court order to stop the district from implementing a policy adopted Tuesday night that would require teachers to disclose to parents the gender identity and sexual orientation of LGBTQIA+ students.

The school district has, in turn, challenged the state, saying it will "vigorously defend" this policy which it says "protects parental rights and ensures the safety of all school children."

Schools in New Jersey are required to accept a student's preferred gender identity and pronouns without parental consent, according to the state's Law Against Discrimination and the state Department of Education's Transgender Student Guidance issued in 2018. The Attorney General's lawsuit says that the new policy adopted by Hanover Township violates state law and is in contradiction with its own existing transgender student policies.

The policy, titled "Parental Notification of Material Circumstances," requires teachers in the 1,200-student K-8 school district to notify parents if they are aware of "any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact" on a student’s well being because of a range of factors, such as bullying, depression, self-harm, athletic and academic performance and gender identity.

Local:Hanover school board favors policy to notify parents of student's LGBTQ identity

The state's lawsuit only challenges inclusion of language in the policy on gender identity, LGBTQ+ and transitioning students which it says violates state law by discriminating against the protected categories of sexual orientation and gender identity.

“We will always stand up for the LGBTQ+ community here in New Jersey and look forward to presenting our arguments in court in this matter,” said Attorney General Platkin in a statement Wednesday. "We are extremely proud of the contributions LGBTQ+ students make to our classrooms and our communities, and we remain committed to protecting them from discrimination in our schools.”

The state's lawsuit against the Hanover Township Public schools and its board of education asks the Morris County Superior Court for an order of "temporary restraint" to enjoin or stop the district's implementation of the policy, while its legal challenge plays out.

Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted his support for the Attorney General's move, saying "Hanover Township Board of Education's new policy requiring staff to 'out' LGBTQ students to their parents violates the rights of our students — jeopardizing their well-being and mental health."

Members of the public at a board meeting in April questioned the legality of the policy and whether it violated the state's law against discrimination. A teacher of 26 years in the Hanover Township district asked board members if it was legal for the new policy to require faculty to report any concerning student behavior as it relates to a list of issues mentioned in the policy, ranging from academic performance to gender identity, and what the consequences would be if they did not do so. The policy was not in violation of any state law, board attorney Matthew Giacobbe told the speakers.

Polarizing battles in NJ

The lawsuit comes at a time when many school boards across the state and nation are already polarized over issues relating to LGBTQIA+ students, resulting in conflicts within boards and in schools as right-wing and conservative activists clash with progressive and liberal groups over school library books, display of the "pride" flag in classrooms, and how far the state can go in mandating what is taught in schools about gender and sexual orientation.

This has resulted in calls to ban books that discuss gender identity, and bitter fights in school board meetings over implementing the Murphy administration's 2020 standards for health and comprehensive education in school districts which moved lessons on gender stereotyping and sexual behavior to earlier grades than in previous years.

About a 100 community members, donned with red shirts and pride flags, came out to express frustration with the board for questioning standards set by the state and their comments about LGBTQ families in an April board meeting at Westwood Regional High school. Other school boards in the state have been the center of similar demonstrations for and against including discussions about LGBTQ people.

"We are pleased to see that Attorney General Platkin has taken action and is recognizing the importance of the rights of students in our districts that are under attack by a radical right agenda," said Michael Gottesman, director of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition, a grassroots group that organizes to counter other groups that it says are eroding trust in public education by accusing the state of "indoctrinating" school children with its curriculum standards.

Gottesman said members of his organization met with staffers in the governor's office and the Attorney General's Office on April 27 to discuss a trend of school board members elected on "parental rights" platforms working to reject the state's health standards in elementary and middle school.

Republican state Senator Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen), who advocated to repeal the sex-education piece of the state department of education's 2020 health and physical education standards, was not immediately available to comment on the Attorney General's lawsuit.

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Hanover Township district responds

The policy does not unlawfully discriminate against "any student on the basis of any protected status whatsoever," the Hanover Township school district said in a statement released Wednesday night. "Simply put, it requires that staff members' say something to the parents and appropriate school administrators," if they see something that could affect their children and to keep parents "fully informed" about "all material issues that could impact their children."

The policy is "expressly targeting students for disparate treatment" says the Attorney General's legal complaint, because it includes state-protected characteristics of “sexual orientation; transitioning; gender identity or expression," in the “facts or circumstances” that school staff must disclose to a student’s parents and to administrators in connection with the student’s safety.

Unidentified members of the public had alerted the Division of Civil Rights in the Attorney General's Office about the policy when it was being proposed, which led to the lawsuit.

The legal complaint can be found here: AG Platkin Announces Filing of Civil Rights Complaint and Application Seeking to Immediately Prohibit Implementation of Hanover Township Board of Education’s LGBTQ+ Parental Notification Policy - New Jersey Office of Attorney General (njoag.gov)

EAST HANOVER − Nothing was going to get the 12 seniors of Hanover Park baseball off the field.

Nothing but the incoming lightning, that is.

An abbreviated celebration on the field spilled into the school's auxiliary gym, and pictures were taken under a basketball hoop instead of near home plate. Regardless of the change in scenery, the Hornets enjoyed one more victory at home on Friday, a 10-0 win over Rutherford in the North 2, Group 2 baseball sectional final.

Despite the big margin, it was actually small ball that put Hanover Park ahead early on.

In each of the first two innings, the Hornets had a leadoff hitter reach base, get sacrificed over to second base and come around to score. Mark Ruccio scored on a sacrifice fly for the first run, while Jack Massarano scored on a wild pitch that gave the Hornets a 2-0 lead through two innings.

"We work on bunting all the time," coach Doug Wear said. "We will bring out the machine and gas it up to about 85 or 90 and just work on bunts. People don't like to bunt anymore, but we knew if we were gonna beat a team like Rutherford, we would need to do the little things and do them right."

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Hanover Park broke through, batting around to score five runs and drive Rutherford starter Sam Kelly out of the game. With one run home and the bases loaded with two away, consecutive two-RBI doubles by Alex Cheringal and Joe LoPinto gave the Hornets a 7-0 cushion.

LoPinto did the rest on the mound, coming in during the second inning to relieve starter Toby Smith on a low pitch limit. LoPinto threw 66 pitches across 3? innings, getting Hanover Park through the fifth inning with a commanding 9-0 advantage.

What it means

It's the second title in three years for Hanover Park. But despite returning 12 seniors, the preseason outlook was not great after losing last spring in the sectional final.

The Hornets entered the season without some impactful players, but the current group of upperclassmen made an impact as the team went undefeated in the NJAC Liberty division and did not lose a single home game all season.

As for what is next, Hanover Park moves on to Monday's Group 2 semifinals to face Pascack Hills with a trip to the next weekend's Group 2 final at stake. In their final game on their home field Friday, Wear reflected upon the impact of his senior class.

"They're part of an era," Wear said. "It's the last game they'll ever play on this field so when they ever come back here, they'll know they left with some hardware."

Key play

Rutherford threatened all afternoon, leaving 13 runners on base without being to plate any of them. The greatest threat came with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning, trailing 2-0. Junior Cole Goumas laced a ball to right-center field but senior Charlie Rafanello was playing the shift and was able to slide for an attempt at the catch.

"My glove is really old, so I couldn't feel if it was in my glove at first," Rafanello said. "When I saw that it was there, I got hyped."

Rafanello's sliding grab kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard and preserved the Hanover Park lead. Rutherford did not have another batter reach third base again until the sixth inning.

"It's so euphoric," Rafanello said. "It's an individual moment and you don't know at the time how big it's going to be in terms of the entire game."

Game ball

Senior Joe LoPinto was going to be handed the ball on Friday, but got it a little earlier than expected as Smith was unable to fend off fatigue. A Canisius commit, LoPinto faced Rutherford for the first time since last season's sectional semifinals, when he struck out 11 and held the Bulldogs to two runs on seven hits in a complete game.

LoPinto stabilized the game and and let the Hanover Park offense stand up, allowing four hits in 3? innings, striking out four and keeping Rutherford off the board to earn the win in relief.

"Joe is our strike thrower," Wear said. "He threw in the Group 2 final for us two years ago as a sophomore and we have been fortunate to ride him and Toby as a 1-2 punch for three years now."

LoPinto also laced a two-run double to cap off a five-run inning for the Hornets to put the game out of reach in his final home game. LoPinto was quick to rank this game atop his accomplishments in Hanover Park.

"It's gotta be No. 1," LoPinto said. "I've been playing with some of these guys since we were 6 years old, so to do this with them, there's nothing like it."

They said it

"It's very emotional. There's no words. It's hard to explain what these guys mean to me." − Hanover Park senior Joe LoPinto.

"Our team is so bonded. We don't leave the diamond and stop being friends. We're best friends everywhere. It's great to win anywhere, but it's special to do it in your home town with your best friends." − Hanover Park senior Charlie Rafanello.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A policy in a New Jersey school district requiring teachers to disclose to parents the gender identity and sexual orientation of their children is being challenged by the state's attorney general.

The Hanover Township Board of Education on Tuesday implemented the new policy, which directs school staff to immediately inform parents on a variety of issues about their children -- from anxiety and self-harm to sexual orientation and gender identity.

READ MORE: New Jersey attorney general challenges Hanover Township school board's new policy impacting LGBTQ+ students

"What is really being indoctrinated is the board of education, with their conservative political views, are trying to force that on all the rest of us," parent Stephanie Eagan said.

"I think every parent should be aware of the sexual identity of their child, absolutely," Michael Milano said.

The state Attorney General's Office is filing a civil rights complaint against the district and requesting an emergency court order to stop the board of ed from implementing the policy the state calls discriminatory because it targets transgender students and kids who identify as LGBTQ+ and that it "exposes them to severe harms to their safety and mental health."

One mother and daughter that spoke to CBS2 oppose the district's new policy.

"I think you would, like, not trust your teachers after that one," seventh grader Anabel Monaco said.

"You should know if your kid is living at home what's going on," Randi Monaco said.

An LGBTQ+ advocacy group is speaking out against the policy, saying LGBTQ+ children often don't live in homes that accept them.

"That's why we have the unfortunate reality of LGBTQ youth representing the highest in the youth homeless population. So they shouldn't have to live with the fear of being outed in their home environment," said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality.

The school district said, "The policy does not unlawfully discriminate against any student on the basis of any protected status," adding the staff members have an obligation "if they see something that could adversely affect the social/emotional well-being of a child."

The Hanover Township Board of Education says it will vigorously defend what it calls a "common-sense policy that protects parental rights and ensures the safety of children."

The Attorney General's Office says its complaint does not challenge other aspects of the policy, such as informing parents if their child is dealing with substance abuse.

Christine Sloan

Christine Sloan is an Emmy Award-winning reporter, who covers New Jersey for CBS 2 New York. Sloan re-joined the station in January 2023. She also worked at CBS 2 New York from 2004 to 2016.

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New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin is pushing back against a New Jersey school district that has a new policy regarding its students.

The Hanover Township School District on Tuesday passed Board Policy 8463, known as “Parental Notice of Material Circumstances.”

Platkin claims new the policy requires staff to notify parents of the gender identity and sexual orientation of students.

He filed a civil rights complaint looking to prevent the policy from going into effect. Platkin claims the policy could lead to safety and mental health concerns.

“We will always stand up for the LGBTQ+ community here in New Jersey and look forward to presenting our arguments in court in this matter,” Platkin wrote in a statement. “We are extremely proud of the contributions LGBTQ+ students make to our classrooms and our communities, and we remain committed to protecting them from discrimination in our schools.”

But school officials say that Platkin is wrong in his assertion.

They say that the new policy simply “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.”

Officials say that these circumstances could range from the use of alcohol or tobacco, depression, self-harm or “preoccupation with anti-social music.”

“Simply put, Board Policy 8463 merely requires that staff members ‘say something to the parents and appropriate school administrators’ if they ‘see something that could adversely affect the social/emotional well-being of a child,’” officials wrote in a statement.

The policy does also mention sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.

“The Hanover Township Board of Education believes that parents need to be fully informed of all material issues that could impact their children…The Board will vigorously defend this common-sense policy that protects parents' rights and ensure the safety of all school children,” officials wrote.

Platkin says that the complaint he filed “does not challenge other aspects of the policy that on their face do not violate the Law Against Discrimination, such as the requirements for parental notification related to ‘substance use,’ ‘alcohol use,’ ‘firearms,’ or ‘unlawful activity.’”

Gov. Phil Murphy wrote on Twitter that he supports Platkin challenging the new policy.