Debate over transgendered teacher

(Eaglewood Township, New Jersey-WABC, February 27, 2006) (WABC) -- There is quite a debate in New Jersey over an elementary school teacher.

Some parents are fighting to have that teacher fired because she recently underwent a sex change operation.

It's happening in Eaglewood Township. Eyewitness News Reporter Lucy Yang has the story.

70-year-old Lily Mc Beth began teaching nine years ago and wants to get in front of the class again.

Lily: "A good teacher is a good teacher."

However, it's not that easy for this Ocean County substitute teacher. Until last year, Mc Beth was a man -- William Mc Beth. He underwent a sex change operation and since, the teacher has not been asked back to work.

On Monday night, she met with the board of education and the community to decide her fate. The community is hotly divided.

Vincent Mustacchio, parent: "Why then, would she want to take that abnormality and subject that to this age of school children?"

Mark Schnepp took out a full page ad against her re-instatement.

"I will not allow you to put my kids in a petrie dish and hope it all turns out fine," Schnepp said.

However, two students who had Mc Beth as a male teacher believe her teaching skills earned her an invitation back.

"She's completely confident. I don't see how this is an issue," one student said.

"When she was he, she was really entertaining," another student added.

In the end, the board of education did not take a formal vote on Mc Beth until she is currently approved and on the roster as a substitute teacher -- which means she hasn't been called in yet, but she will when her name comes up.

"I think it was magnificent. You saw diversity in action," Lily said.

So whether parents want her or not, William Mc Beth can return to school as Lily Mc Beth.

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