CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– The Cumberland Valley School Board has drawn a lot of local criticism and national news coverage ever since the school board canceled an anti-bullying assembly.

’30 Rock’ star and author Maulik Pancholy was supposed to give an anti-bullying speech at Mountain View Middle School on May 22, but suddenly, the school board met and voted unanimously to disinvite Pancholy — seemingly because he’s gay.

The backlash was strong enough that this special meeting was called for Wednesday night and the turnout was large.

Most of the night attendees wondered if the board was going to reverse its decision. That’s exactly what the board did, choosing to reinstate the assembly for May 22.

During the meeting, many people brought their opinions on the board’s original decision to cancel it.

“The school board is telling trans kids and LGBTQ students that they do not belong,” said an 8th-grade transgender student.

“By canceling the assembly because Mr. Pancholy is gay you are showing the exact kind of bullying that this assembly was meant to help out school community change,” another student said.

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Pancholy’s niece, who attends Cumberland Valley, also stood up and spoke in front of the large crowd.

“I have talked to him personally and at the assembly, he would not be talking about anything politically,” she said.

A mom with two kids who go to Mountain View says her kids were upset and shocked.

“The message that my kids at Mountain View received by the board’s actions is that bringing their whole selves to school was not welcome,” the mother said.

There are a few people who are supporting the board’s move.

“If you look at this gentleman’s website you will see his whole agenda politics and sexual orientation have no place in our school,” an attendee said.

But some of the board members are now showing regret over what happened in the previous meeting.

“I want to apologize to everyone, I will accept the blame because of the insensitive word,” board member Bud Shaffner said after originally voting to cancel the event over Pancholy’s “lifestyle.” “I spoke on April 15, I fully understand the interpretation of my poor word choice, but that is not what I meant. I am not a prejudiced person.”

“I apologize to those that felt like I was taking value away from them as individuals with my words,” board member Kelly Potteiger said. “That was not my intention or reflection of my values. My yes vote regarding the speaker was based on his political activism.”

The board’s president even reversed his position.

“I made a rush to decision and I regret and feel horrible about the decision and the vote,” board president Greg Rausch said. “It’s important to me that I accept my error and I do what I can do to make it right.”

Previous coverage

• ’30 Rock’ star’s anti-bullying speech canceled in Pennsylvania school – ‘because he’s gay?’

• Cumberland Valley leaders contradict school board bosses: Pancholy’s ‘assembly should have been allowed’

• Facing national criticism, Cumberland Valley School Board to hold special meeting; might re-instate Pancholy speech

• Cumberland Valley School Board meeting on Pancholy speech; location changed

• Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission responds to Cumberland Valley canceling actor’s event over “lifestyle”

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