Craig White of the Campaign for Southern Equality told the Buncombe County Board of Education on Aug. 14 that the district should do no more than state law requires when revising gender support guidelines and that schools are a key line of defense for vulnerable students.

"Here in Buncombe County Schools, you are our last line of defense," Craig White told the board during the public comment period. He described a national context of anti-trans legislation and media campaigns and urged trustees to protect transgender and nonbinary students while following legal requirements.

Board attorney Ashley Leonard read the public-comment rules at the start of the public-comment period, noting speakers would have precisely three minutes and must follow BCS policy 23 10. White's remarks were the only public comment at the meeting; the board did not respond during the public-comment period.

Later in the meeting the board approved a consent agenda that included policy items for ratification, among them "policy 33 20 R, gender support guidelines," as listed by staff; the full consent agenda was adopted with no recorded opposition. Trustees said the district's policy committee will continue reviewing statutory changes and make further recommendations as needed.

Officials and the public at the meeting referenced state law and recent state-level legislation during discussion of policy ratifications; the board noted additional items arising from House Bill 805 would be addressed by the policy committee going forward.