CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Update, 10:30 p.m.: The Cumberland Valley School Board reversed its decision to cancel an anti-bullying assembly featuring Maulik Pancholy.
Parents cheered the 5-4 decision, which came after several hours of public comment from community members and more than a dozen students.
Previously: Backlash continues against school leaders in Cumberland County.
The Cumberland Valley School Board voted unanimously last week to cancel an anti-bullying assembly featuring "30 Rock" actor and author, Maulik Pancholy, who is gay.
The board cited Pancholy's "activism" and "lifestyle."
On Wednesday, the school board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m.
It remains under fire for its decision to cancel Pancholy's visit, citing the issue of what members deemed “political” activism.
“If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist, he is proud of his lifestyle and I don’t think that should be imposed upon our students at any age," said school board member Bud Shaffner at the April 15 meeting.
“My only question is, do we even have any idea what he’s going to be talking about?" board president, Greg Rausch, asked Shaffner. "I know he’s a homosexual activist and what have you and has written books and things like that but do we even know what he’s going to be talking about?”
The vote sparked immediate backlash from the community, including a petition started by parent Trisha Comstock, who along with others, believes Pancholy’s sexuality is being attacked.
“It clearly sends a message to our staff, our students, and our residents that identify as LGBTQ+, that part of the community, that they’re not welcome, they’re not seen, they’re not respected," Comstock told FOX43 last week.
Pancholy has written several children’s books including one which tells the story of a gay Indian American boy coming into his own.
On his website, Pancholy calls himself an “activist.”
Late last week, district administration sent out a letter to staff, expressing its disappointment in the decision, saying it has had “significant ramifications” for the school community.
Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Commission and Senator John Fetterman chimed in as well, expressing concern with the decision.
Pancholy himself also responded to the decision, posting a video message on social media.
“When I visit schools, my ‘activism’ is to let all young people know that they’re seen, to let them know they matter," said Pancholy. “That is the power of books, they build empathy. I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that.”
FOX43 reached out to all nine members of the Cumberland Valley School Board Wednesday morning, but has not yet heard back from any of them.
A district spokeswoman tells FOX43 as per the agenda, the superintendent will provide a brief overview of the assembly during the special meeting. She says members of the administration will not do interviews before or after the meeting.