Chatham County Board of Education taking a stand against racist incidents in schools. During Monday night's meeting, board members voted unanimously for new policy changes, revisions to the student code of conduct, and staffing training following reports of racist incidents in schools.

The recommendations are coming specifically from Chatham County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson.

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"Those who participate in acts that demean any person are acting outside the values of our school system and will be held accountable using every means at our disposal," said Jackson during Monday's meeting. "It is now our responsibility to do the things all students need to be the true beneficiaries of the many wonderful programs and opportunities we have to offer in our school system."

Jackson said the changes aren't a fix, but rather a new beginning for the community to do better.

"I want to first offer an apology. An apology to every student who has ever felt unsafe while in our care. To every student who has ever felt demeaned, disrespected or marginalized because of their race, ethnicity, sex, gender, religion or disability," said Jackson.

"I ask our community to see these changes as a beginning and not a fix," he said. "None of this will work if we continue operating in silos. We are better together."

Jackson said it was difficult listening to accounts of discrimination in his school district.

"These accounts of mock slave auctions, use of racial epithets and images have shaken us to our core. Experiences that none of us would sy are OK, acceptable or justifiable," he said.

Up to 150 people, including students, parents, faith leaders and advocates, filled the school board meeting on Monday night. Many brought forth a list of recommendation on how school leaders should tackle racist incidents.

The most recent incident reported in the school district involved white students at J.S. Waters Schools accused of holding a mock slave auction.

But, one speaker pointed her frustration directly at Jackson, who has been Chatham County Schools' superintendent for under a year.

"Dr. Jackson, you were called for such a time as this. This happened under your leadership," said Rhonda Taylor Bullock.

Prior to the school board meeting, a local coalition held a news conference to speak about the reported racist incidents. Members of the community stood in solidarity with Ashley Palmer, the mother who went public about her biracial son's experience with the mock slave auction.

"This is not diversity and inclusion. This is not equity. This is racism and deserves to be treated as such," Palmer said.

Jackson said he's hoping the new plan of action makes for a more welcoming learning environment.

"Our children deserve this and our community will be better because of this," he said.