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Oak Ridge board adds and approves three student clubs, cites Equal Access Act
Summary
The board unanimously amended the agenda to consider three late club applications and approved Big Brick (Robertsville), Muslim Harmony (ORHS) and Turning Point USA (ORHS), noting compliance with board policy 4.3 and federal Equal Access Act requirements.
The Oak Ridge Board of Education voted unanimously to amend its November meeting agenda to consider three club applications that arrived after the agenda deadline and then approved all three clubs.
Unidentified Speaker 1 moved to add consideration of the three clubs—Big Brick (Robertsville), Muslim Harmony (Oak Ridge High School) and Turning Point USA (ORHS)—saying each complied with board policy 4.3 and reminding the board that the federal Equal Access Act prohibits denying equal access to student-initiated clubs on the basis of religious, political or philosophical content. Doctor Hartman seconded the motion to add the item, which passed unanimously.
After Dr. Borchers recommended approval of each club, the board moved and approved the Big Brick club (motion by Miss Webb), the Muslim Harmony club (motion by Miss Craven) and a Turning Point USA chapter (motion by Doctor Hartman); each vote passed unanimously. Board members and staff explained that clubs must be student-initiated and student-led and require a teacher sponsor and parental permission for minors.
During the public forum a resident identifying themself as Bratlin asked the board to repeat the club names and whether residents could propose clubs next year; staff member Lauren Dean explained the proposal process (sponsor, administrative review, then board consideration). No member of the board opposed approval of the three clubs.
The board did not place conditions on the clubs beyond the documentation required by board policy.
