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A new measure will require the Jersey City Public Schools to take a student's gender identity into account in a number of instances.

(Journal file photo)

The school board adopted a new policy Thursday night that proponents hope will make the public schools more accommodating to transgender students.

The board voted 8-0-1 to approve the measure, which will require the 28,000-student school district to take a student's gender identity into account in a number of instances. Board member Lorenzo Richardson abstained from voting.

The move comes amid a nationwide effort to expand civil rights to include the transgender community, a movement that has resulted in some backlash. North Carolina in March passed a law quashing local LGBT rights ordinances and restricting transgender people's access to restrooms. Target's decision to implement a transgender-friendly restroom policy led to boycotts.

District spokeswoman Maryann Dickar told The Jersey Journal this week that the policy had been planned for last year but the district waited until the federal government issued specific guidelines. President Obama in May said schools must provide transgender students equal access to educational programs and activities.

"The proposed policy is in line with the district's commitment to equality," Dickar said.

Richardson said he abstained from voting not because he opposes the policy -- he said he doesn't think it goes far enough -- but because he believes the board acted too quickly. The matter could have waited until the board's August meeting to give school officials the chance to talk to parents of transgender students, he said.

"Due diligence wasn't done," Richardson said.

The new policy requires the district to issue student ID cards in the name that reflects the student's gender identity; requires school staff to address students by the names and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, even if the students have not obtained court-approved name changes; and allows students to dress in accordance with their gender identity.

The policy also bans the district from forcing students to use restrooms or locker rooms that conflict with their gender identity.

About two dozen school districts in New Jersey, including in Pequannock, Jackson and Ocean Township, have adopted similar policies.