Students and community speakers press board to approve Club America chapter; administrators point to sponsor and timing rules

Dozens of students and community members urged the Hartland Consolidated Schools Board of Education on Sept. 15 to permit a local chapter of Turning Point USA — calling themselves Club America — to hold meetings during the school day as an official, district‑sponsored club.

The group’s supporters described campus service projects, debates, community outreach and a prayer vigil after the recent killing of national conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Several students and parents said extracurricular schedules and transportation barriers keep some students from attending after‑school meetings, and asked the board to allow the chapter to meet during school seminar or club time.

Administrators and board members said district policy requires a district employee to sponsor any school‑sponsored club and that clubs must follow the high school’s established calendar and submission deadlines. Superintendent Chuck Hughes said the district maintains a forms drive and a summer submission timeline for the coming school year; principals manage club approvals and scheduling. Hughes said a teacher sponsor who completes the required paperwork and follows principal review could enable a club to be added, and that staff would consider exceptions only after a sponsor files the required documentation.

Several speakers described activities already run by the students as a nonsponsored group, including a Holocaust‑survivor presentation, a Memorial Day parade booth and service projects for veterans and firefighters. Student speakers said two teachers initially agreed to sponsor the chapter in past seasons but later withdrew, and they asked the district to make the sponsor search and paperwork process clearer.

Board members and administrators said they would review whether the high school principal, Mr. Fitzgerald, could accept a late sponsorship form or otherwise allow an exception; Board President Coleman said administrators would clarify procedures and deadlines and that principals typically approve sponsored clubs after validating a staff sponsor and available seminar slots.

The board did not take a formal vote on club sponsorship at the meeting. Administrators said they will finalize written procedures, and encouraged students who have a willing teacher sponsor to work directly with the high school principal to submit forms for consideration.

Community comment at the meeting reflected sharp feelings on both sides. Several parents and residents urged inclusion and protection of students’ free‑speech rights; other speakers and multiple board members emphasized the need for consistent administrative processes and safety‑oriented scheduling for on‑campus activities.

The board directed administration to review club procedures and return with clearer deadlines and a staff‑guide for sponsorship requests.

Ending: Students and community members said they would continue pursuing a sponsor and following the district’s procedures. Administrators said they will publish a clarified club timetable and make forms available on the staff shared drive.