In a surprising turn of events, the Cumberland Valley School District board directors voted unanimously to cancel a scheduled speech by a star of the popular NBC show "30 Rock." The decision has sparked controversy, with accusations of discrimination against the speaker, Maulik Pancholy, who is openly gay.

The cancellation was not initially on the agenda for Monday night's board meeting, making it even more unexpected. Trisha Comstock, a mother of two children in the district, asserted that Mr. Pancholy's speech was canceled solely because of his sexual orientation. She labeled board director Bud Shaffner as "homophobic" for his objection, claiming that Pancholy's cancellation was unjustified, especially considering the district's anti-bullying program, which has previously held similar assemblies during school hours.

Pancholy, an Asian-American of Indian descent, has been chosen as this year's speaker. His sister-in-law, Erin Corvaia, who resides in the district, highlighted his relatability in a diverse community with a significant Asian-American population. However, some board members expressed concerns about Pancholy's perceived political activism. Comstock countered these claims, stating that Pancholy is solely an anti-bullying activist, further refuting any political agenda.

The cancellation of the speech has left students and their families disappointed, with Flora Hicks, Corvaia's daughter and a student at the middle school, particularly affected. In response, Hicks has started a petition urging the school board to reverse their decision.

During the meeting, Shaffner voiced his belief that Pancholy's sexual orientation should not be imposed upon the students. However, Comstock argued against this perspective, asserting that sexual orientation should not be treated as a choice, just like race or ethnicity. She emphasized the outdated nature of Shaffner's terminology and reasoning.

Aside from the controversy surrounding the cancellation itself, Comstock also criticized the board's involvement in what she perceives as school-level matters. She highlighted the board's main responsibilities of hiring, firing, and budgeting, expressing her belief that micromanaging administrative-approved assemblies at the building level is unprecedented.

The Cumberland Valley School District, with its enrollment of over 10,000 students, ranks as the 16th largest among the approximately 500 school districts in Pennsylvania. The cancellation of Maulik Pancholy's speech has raised concerns about discrimination and freedom of expression within the district.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, the petition launched by Flora Hicks shows the determination of students and their families to reverse the board's decision and provide an inclusive environment within the Cumberland Valley School District.