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Residents tell commissioners they’re 'outraged' at proposed removal of LGBTQ and pregnancy language from Policy 7,100
Summary
Multiple residents used public comment at the June 15 meeting to urge the board to keep nondiscrimination language in Policy 7,100; one speaker said removing references to pregnancy, childbirth, gender identity and sexual orientation would single out protected groups and send a harmful message to employees and students.
At the June 15 Johnston County Board of Commissioners meeting, several residents used the public-comment period to urge the board and school officials not to strip specific nondiscrimination language from school policy 7,100.
Ben Chapman of Clayton told the commissioners he was "absolutely outraged by the recommendation to remove the words pregnancy, childbirth, gender identity, and sexual orientation from policy 7,100," saying the proposed change would "remove clarity" and "broadcast to the community that gay and lesbian employees are less than other employees." He urged the board to "stand up and speak up for Johnston County Public School students and employees."
Other public commenters and local advocacy organizers echoed calls for transparency from county and school leaders about the policy process and warned that removing explicit language could be viewed as discriminatory by employees and the community. Speakers tied the item to earlier local incidents and asked the school board and county officials to explain the rationale before taking action.
Why it matters: The comments came during the county’s public-comment period and addressed a recommendation under consideration by the school system’s policy committee. Residents told commissioners they expect clarity about whether protected categories will remain explicitly listed in local policy, and they asked for the board to ensure the school district and county thoughtfully explain any change.
Next steps: Commenters said they intend to return to the July 20 commission meeting to ask for a transparency resolution; board members encouraged public engagement and said officials will continue to discuss the matter with the school board.
