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Oak Ridge Board unanimously approves three student clubs, citing equal-access obligations
Summary
The Oak Ridge Board added an agenda item and unanimously approved three student-organized clubs—Big Brick at Robertsville Middle School, Muslim Harmony and Turning Point USA at Oak Ridge High School—after the chair cited board policy and the federal Equal Access Act; the board recorded unanimous votes for the agenda amendment and club approvals.
The Oak Ridge Board of Education voted unanimously to add and then approve three student-led clubs that arrived after the agenda deadline: the Big Brick club at Robertsville Middle School and two Oak Ridge High School clubs, Muslim Harmony and Turning Point USA.
The board first moved to amend the agenda so all three clubs could be considered rather than deferring one until January. The chair cited Board Policy 4.3 and federal equal access requirements, noting that student clubs cannot be denied based on religious, political or philosophical content so long as they are student initiated and meet noninstructional meeting rules. "Therefore, again, I move to amend tonight's agenda so that board can consider all 3 proposed student clubs and activities," the chair said. Dr. Hartman seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously to add the item.
Superintendent Dr. Borchers recommended approval of each club and briefly described their purposes. On the Muslim Harmony club he said it is "dedicated to fostering an understanding of Islam as both a faith and a cultural tradition" and is "open to all students." When presenting Turning Point USA, he said the chapter will "focus on making the younger generation aware of what's going on in America" and that students "will also discuss American rights and engage in religious conversations while making sure to keep the conversation civil." The Robertsville Middle School Big Brick club was described as a program to practice teamwork and build peer relationships.
During the public forum earlier in the meeting, resident Bratlin asked for clarification about which clubs were being approved and about the process for proposing future clubs. Staff member Lauren Dean explained the steps: secure a teacher sponsor, take the proposal to school administration, and then the administration forwards it to the board for consideration.
Each club approval was moved and seconded in turn and the board recorded unanimous votes for the Big Brick, Muslim Harmony and Turning Point USA clubs.
