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Some officials and community members in Hanover County have expressed discontent over plans at a high school for a daylong vow of silence to call attention to anti-LGBT bullying, arguing it would be too disruptive for teachers and obstruct learning.

Patrick Henry High School Principal Wanda Bibb last month approved a petition from senior Kevin Willis asking that students be allowed to remain silent for Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s Day of Silence on Friday even when asked by teachers to answer questions or participate in classroom activities that may require speaking.

In a statement, School Board member Norman K. Sulser said he was under the impression that students would limit their talking to one another and perhaps wear armbands and shirts promoting the cause.

But allowing students to refuse questions from teachers goes too far, said Sulser, who represents the Cold Harbor District.

“This decision inhibits the teachers’ ability to teach and the students’ ability to learn. I can go along with a decision to raise awareness about issues but never when it impedes the learning process,” Sulser said in the statement.

He added during a School Board meeting Tuesday: “What we’re doing is wrong.”