What makes the difference?

What makes transgender issues controversial? There was a public controversy last year in a New Jersey school system that hired a transgender teacher. Interestingly, as you can see from the story linked here, another school system has hired the same teacher, this time with no fanfare and no outcry. In looking at this story from the point of view of workplace issues, it demonstrates that, while transgender employment issues can be controversial, they don't have to be. The question pertinent to corporate HR managers and diversity professionals is what makes the difference. Perhaps this story gives a hint in its description of how management handled the issue calmly and professionally without making it a sui generis issue open for town-hall-style debate.