The Clarendon County School District Board of Trustees met Monday, Nov. 3, and shifted an agenda item on the evaluation of the district’s legal services into executive session before hearing from 14 speakers during public comment, most of whom objected to the district’s internal inclusion of Transgender Awareness Week in a list of November observances.
Board Chair John Bonaparte opened the meeting with all nine trustees present. After approving the Oct. 6 minutes and amending the agenda, trustees prepared to hear public comment – much of it focused on the observances list.
Earlier that day, district communications issued a statement clarifying that the monthly list of observances is shared with staff for awareness only, that many items are not promoted or celebrated in schools, and that CCSD “does not promote or oppose any groups or beliefs,” emphasizing a commitment to a safe and inclusive learning environment. The statement described the observances list as informational.
Most of the speakers during public comment urged the board to withdraw the observance listing, which they described as inappropriate for students and out of line with community values. Several framed the issue in religious terms and called for stronger boundaries between classroom instruction and cultural or political topics.
One resident told the board, “Our schools exist to teach reality, not abstract things that have nothing to do with reality … We are smack in the middle of spiritual warfare, and I will not hand over a single child or grandchild to the devil’s schemes.”
Another speaker asked, “If we have transgender week, when do we have heterosexual awareness week? Where is the line?”
A resident also questioned trustees directly, saying, “Do any of you board members profess to be a Christian? Would you raise your hand?” before adding, “It would be better to have a millstone around your neck and be cast into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to sin.”
State Rep. Fawn Pedalino also spoke, criticizing the district’s focus, saying leadership was “prioritizing social issues over education” and called for Superintendent Dr. Shawn Johnson to be removed.
“Somehow our district can continue to fund two separate PR positions, while teachers are being physically harmed in classrooms and staff are being shifted from school to school after making threats,” she said.
She also objected to Johnson’s contract extension and the cost of terminating it.
“At this point, many of us would rather see our tax dollars go toward paying out that ridiculous buyout clause that some of you on this board voted for, and bring in leadership that will put our education first.”
Pedalino ended by saying, “If this administration will not change direction, then it is up to this board to dismiss Dr. Johnson and put our school district back on the right path.”
After public comment, trustees unanimously approved the second and final readings of multiple policies relating to staff compensation, professional contracts and transfers, the school year, resignations, leave and absences, sick-leave bank procedures, student absences, equal educational opportunity, board organization and instructional staff evaluations.
The board also approved the first reading of a revised expulsion policy (JKE/JKE-R).
The board then created a Property Committee to review requests concerning surplus facilities and district-owned buildings no longer in instructional use. Trustees John Hardy, Mike Shorter and Kim Jones volunteered, and later in the meeting Superintendent Dr. Shawn Johnson and Donald Davis, Director of Operations, Facilities, and Safety, were added to the group.
Trustees also approved an overnight field trip for Dr. Rose R. Wilder Elementary School to Washington, D.C., scheduled for May 25–28, 2026.
Reports from the district offices included:
Finance – September revenues totaled $2.35 million, with year-to-date revenues at $7.28 million. Expenditures through September were $9.44 million, including $3.89 million for the month.
Food & Nutrition – The district remains insulated from federal shutdown effects due to a three-month operating balance. USDA reimbursements for October and November have been released, and a $128,145 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant is active in all elementary schools. Smart Mouth pizza is being piloted at Manning High, and schools will participate in a statewide spirit lunch event.
Technology – Phone upgrades are now complete at Rose R. Wilder Elementary; Manning High is next. Camera expansion, including classroom coverage, continues districtwide. Devices are being prepared for EOC, benchmark and MAP testing.
Facilities – Projects include new cameras at both high schools, lighting upgrades at Scotts Branch, flooring replacement in Manning High’s guidance office, new playground surfacing and structures at Manning Elementary, HVAC replacement at Manning Early Childhood Center, radio fleet upgrades, sidewalk safety repairs and relocation of surplus furniture.
The board then made a motion to enter into executive session for recommendations/reports on employee matters and legal advice.
After returning to open session, the board voted to approve the superintendent’s personnel recommendations, agreed to release “Employee A” once a suitable replacement is hired, and unanimously directed the district to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for legal services, signaling that the board may seek new legal representation.
Before adjourning, Bonaparte addressed the public controversy directly, saying the observance list had been withdrawn and was never intended as a directive or endorsement.
“The list was not an endorsement of any item on it and was not approved as part of the district’s calendar of events.”
He added that the district will not involve itself in questions of student sexuality or identity. “Those topics will always be left to the family.”
Bonaparte urged residents not to allow the issue to divide the county.
“If either policies or statutes violate scripture, I follow scripture,” he said. “Let this be a learning moment, and let us work together so we move forward, not backward.”
The meeting adjourned shortly after.
The next regular meeting of the Clarendon County School District Board of Trustees is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2025.
