For the second time in a week, Johnston County Public Schools leaders have paused a conversation about excluding LGBTQIA+ language from the district's bullying policy.
The policy review committee met Thursday at 9 a.m. after the board postponed a decision to change its harassment and bullying policy on Tuesday night. Thursday's discussion was livestreamed on pugongyingbo.com.
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The current bullying and harassment policy prohibits discrimination on sexual orientation, but the board was considering striking the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" from the policy language.
On Thursday after 20 minutes of discussion, board members decided again to pause the conversation, keeping the policy as it is to comply with state and federal law.
"At this time, the law has not changed and I would recommend the policy committee not changing the language in the policy at this time unless and until the federal and state law change," said school board legal attorney Katie Cornetto.
The board also mentioned an executive order from the Trump administration suggesting the U.S. government recognizes only two sexes. The board's attorney said there appears to be concern about consequences for the school board, including a loss of federal funding, if they don’t proceed with the order.
Conversation was held about using "broader" language to explain that bullying will not be tolerated for anyone.
"I would prefer that we use broad language," said Michelle Antoine, a school board member. "I think we say we will not tolerate bullying period ... we don’t have to expand into every avenue because the truth is all different kinds of children can be bullied."
The board discussed bringing the harassment policy with broader language back for review after any changes are approved by an attorney.
A spokesperson for Moms for Liberty said they support the proposed changes.
“It is a scientific fact that there are only two genders, male and female," a statement from the group read. "Yet there are infinite personalities, making each of us unique. We encourage Johnston County Public Schools to move forward with the proposed changes and we applaud them for working to update their policies to protect students. We hope that other school systems such as WCPSS will follow suit.”
Ben Chapman, a community advocate, was the only person from the public in attendance at Thursday's meeting. He plans to attend future meetings to keep tabs on potential changes.
"I'd be interested in hearing some clarifying comments by what they mean by 'broader language,'" Chapman told WRAL News.
A closer look at the policy code - Prohibition against discrimination, harassment and bullying – shows the draft copy strikes out the words sexual orientation and gender identity.
On both Tuesday and Thursday, the district said they want to be in accordance with state and federal laws. It's worth noting the exclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity are part of draft copy that's not finalized.
"Every child in our school system has to be protected," said board member Kim Donovan on Thursday. "Everyone of them. There’s no room for bullying and harassment in the school system. We know it happens but we’ve got to crack down on it."
"We can sit here and talk policy all day but we’ve got to get in the classrooms and make sure the students are protected."
Several viewers reached out to WRAL News earlier this week concerned about the change being considered, and many parents showed up to Tuesday afternoon's meeting to voice their opinions.
Board Chair Lyn Andrews spoke to the current policy at Tuesday's meeting.
"Every child is to be free of bullying and harassment," said Andrews. "It does not matter. We have a student code of conduct. We are not going to tolerate bullying or harassing anyone. And we have schools filled with administration that have been charged with this, I want to make that clear to everyone. Every student deserves the right to come to school and feel safe."
Inside the building were frustrated parents and community members who fear what striking these protections would mean for students and employees.
"I don’t understand why this divisiveness needed to happen," said Holly Atkins, president and founder of Hope for Teens.
One parent said she believes board members are letting their personal beliefs interfere with the school system's mission.
"The district is here to support all of the members of our school system," said parent Mandi Harris. "They should be valued and respected and protected from harassment, from bullying regardless of their sexual orientation."
One board member said the subject came up for a vote in 2024 when Title IX was being discussed.
"We just need to take a look at it," Andrews said. "Take a look at it and make sure we're doing what we need to be doing."