Full Breakdown
Chathams School District Repeals Gender Policy After Settlement with Moms for Liberty
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Settlement and Policy Reversal
On October 12, the School District of the Chathams Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve a settlement that permanently eliminates Policy 5145.7, the gender-expression policy adopted in January 2024. The agreement bars the district from reinstating the policy or any similar rule, and Moms for Liberty will dismiss its lawsuit “with prejudice.” The settlement also requires that every current and future employee receive a written copy of the agreement, confirming the district’s commitment to respect parental rights.
Background and Legal Context
The contested policy let students choose the names and pronouns they used at school and gave guidance counselors discretion to decide whether parents would be notified of a child’s social transition. It also contained disciplinary provisions that could suspend or expel students who refused to use a peer’s chosen name or pronouns, prompting a First-Amendment compelled-speech claim.
Moms for Liberty filed a federal suit in August alleging that the policy violated parental rights under a **2026 U.S. The suit also cited the Court’s emergency order in *Mirabelli v. Bonta*, which signaled that parents could succeed in objecting to policies that protect students from forced outing, though the Court did not rule on the policies’ constitutionality. A later Supreme Court case, *Mahmoud v. Taylor* (June 2025), applied strict scrutiny to school policies that substantially interfere with parents’ ability to guide their children’s religious upbringing.
Official Statements & Responses
The district’s superintendent, Emily Sortino, and Board President Ann Ciccarelli declined to comment on the settlement. A spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Garden State Equality also did not respond.
Criticism & Opposition
These organizations criticize the policy’s secrecy and its potential to endanger vulnerable students.
Verbatim Quote
- “The parents behind this case endured doxxing and harassment simply for asking their school district to respect their role as their children’s primary educators,” — Tina Descovich, CEO and co-founder of Moms for Liberty
What’s Next
The settlement obligates the district to retain the written guarantee of parental-rights respect for all staff. In addition to repealing the policy on September 14, the district replaced its entire policy manual with mandatory policies from a new provider, signaling a broader shift in its governance approach. No further litigation or policy changes have been announced.