Public commenters urge removal of DEI references and ask board to fund orchestra expansion

During the public participation portion of the Forsyth County Board of Education meeting two residents addressed the board on separate issues.

Jerry Kushel, identifying himself as a citizen, urged the board to remove references to DEI from district policy and to adopt a stance opposing affirmation of students with gender-identity concerns. Kushel said, “There are only 2 genders. Gender dysphoria is a disease and any child in our schools affected by this disease needs mental health treatment, not blind affirmation.” He also criticized materials he described as “sexualized” or promoting “critical race theory and DEI tropes,” and urged the board to replace DEI with what he called “MEI, merit, excellent, and intelligence.” Kushel's remarks expressed strong ideological positions; they were delivered during the public comment period and did not represent an action by the board.

Janelle Mortensen, also a community member, asked the board to set aside funds to help schools start orchestra programs and to consult with people who have successfully started classes, clubs or community orchestras. Mortensen referenced the district's 2020–25 strategic arts plan, noting its milestones: year 1 hire itinerant orchestra teachers for high-school starter programs; year 2 expand itinerant teachers for middle-school starter programs; year 3 transition itinerants to full-time positions as needed. She said that as of 2025 only one high school and one middle school have full-time orchestra teachers and that the district lacks itinerant orchestra staff to seed new programs. “Putting the burden solely on the principals to start a program is an extra burden to bear and would likely fail,” Mortensen said, and she asked the board to consider allocating funds and consulting successful local organizers.

Board members did not take action during public participation; both comments were recorded as remarks from members of the public.