Parents and community members ask board to enforce student‑organization policies over reported TPUSA chapter

During the public comment portion of the Royal Oak Schools Board meeting, multiple community members raised concerns about a reported Turning Point USA (TPUSA) student chapter at Royal Oak High School and asked the board to enforce existing policies for student organizations.

Laura Sayen told the board she and other community members have reviewed district policies and found "concerning inconsistencies" in how those policies are applied. Sayen asked the board to open channels of communication with concerned community members and to collaborate to ensure policies are consistently enforced.

Tina Steinmetz specifically cited board policy AG 5730 (Equal Access for Student Organizations), quoting section F, which states that "non‑school persons do not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend the activity." Steinmetz said TPUSA’s chapter handbook obligates chapters to remain in regular communication with a TPUSA field representative and that the club’s public posts about meetings with a TPUSA representative appear to violate the district’s policy. She urged the board to require the club to cease regular contact with external TPUSA employees or to suggest that outside groups form separate community activism hubs.

Ashley Murrell told the board that district leaders need to improve engagement with parents, students and teachers and criticized framing from the superintendent and others that she said made the community feel divided. Murrell requested a meeting between the board, the superintendent and concerned community members in order to pursue restorative dialogue and to center student safety.

The board did not take an immediate enforcement action during the meeting; public comment concluded, and board members later referenced committee work and safety and curriculum items in liaison reports. Commenters said they had provided contact information and requested follow-up from the board.