Students form Turning Point USA chapter; board explains Model UN trip funding and tax‑credit rules

At the Sept. 25 meeting two high‑school students introduced a student‑run Turning Point USA chapter and described planned volunteer activities, while the board addressed concerns about Model United Nations funding and field‑trip fundraising.

Emilio Neto introduced himself as “president of the student run club, TP USA,” and Zoe Patrick identified herself as the club’s vice president. Neto said the club will focus on “identifying, educating, and training, and organizing students to promote freedom‑based qualities” and plans volunteer activities such as diaper drives and letters to veterans. The students said they were aware of district policies governing guest speakers and would attempt to comply when arranging outside presenters.

Separately, the board pulled the field‑trip memorandum (item 3.3) for clarification after prior public comments mentioned Model UN funding. Board members clarified that Model UN is a student club, not a curricular class, and therefore is not funded from district maintenance & operations dollars except for the teacher sponsor stipend. Superintendent Bartlett explained that travel for clubs requires fundraising, student fees, tax‑credit donations and gifts; for distant trips families pay more and clubs typically engage in additional fundraising. Bartlett said the district attempts to assist families in need by splitting costs roughly 50/50 between tax‑credit or district assistance and the family when a need is identified, using a “program of greatest need” account for tax‑credit allocations.

Board members asked whether tax‑credit donations could be directed to a single student; Bartlett said targeted donations to an individual student are not permitted under current practice, though donors can make targeted donations to specific programs. An exception exists for certain kindergarten tuition (referred to as “Kindergarten Plus” in the discussion), which can be applied to a specific child’s tuition.

The board approved the field‑trip memorandum (item 3.3) by voice vote, 5–0. Model UN’s proposed trip was described in the meeting as a five‑day conference in Washington, D.C., with two travel days and a stated fee of about $1,000 per student; the transcript indicates the club will pursue fundraising and tax‑credit donations to cover costs.

No formal policy changes to tax‑credit rules were made at the meeting; board members said fundraising plans and any use of district tax‑credit funds would follow existing district procedures.