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Fort Lee public raises objections as students and parents press board over denied club approvals
Summary
Public commenters, including students and parents, told the Fort Lee Board of Education they felt club approvals had been politicized and warned against authorizing a Turning Point USA chapter; the superintendent said club submissions missed the policy deadline and, for budget reasons, no new clubs will be approved for next year.
The Fort Lee Board of Education heard an extended public-comment period focused on student clubs and allegations of political bias at its public meeting. Several students and parents urged the board to explain why a proposed student club was not placed on the agenda and warned against legitimizing groups they described as extremist.
Dylan Naso of 230 Warren Avenue, speaking on behalf of a student group, said members were “upset that our club is not in the agenda” and accused some adults in town of treating students as if they “will spew hate speech.” He said the omission had harmed his reputation and asked whether students had been told their clubs would not be approved for next year.
Superintendent Collazo responded that the district policy requires club proposals to be submitted by April of the previous year and that the administration gave a presentation March 25 describing budget constraints. “At this time,” Collazo said, “due to budgetary reasons, no new clubs…will not be approved for the following year.”
Other speakers urged the board not to allow a Turning Point USA chapter. Amy Zhao, who said she graduated from the district in 2018, told the board she opposed the proposed Turning Point club because, she said, the national organization “pushes radicalization” and could be unsafe for students. “We should be encouraging our kids who want to get politically involved,” Zhao said, naming alternatives such as debate and student government.
Multiple commenters also warned that presenters invited by such a chapter could promote extreme views; one attendee said some speakers could argue that people who receive or provide abortions “should face criminal punishment up to and including the death penalty.” The board chair repeatedly cut off speakers whose time expired.
The public exchange followed an earlier announcement from staff about technical options for remote participation; a district staff member asked the board to consider making Zoom participation an agenda item to improve parental access. The superintendent and other staff emphasized that club approval is governed by district policy and financial capacity.
The meeting record shows no formal vote to approve any new clubs during the session; instead, the board considered routine resolutions and disciplinary walk-ins that had been read aloud before public comment concluded. The board later moved on to its consent agenda and voted on bundled items.
