NAVAJO COUNTY, Ariz. - Snowflake High School denied students' request to sponsor a Turning Point USA chapter, triggering "an emotional reaction from some adults in and outside our community."
But, the district's superintendent said no new clubs have been approved since a moratorium began in 2009.
What we know:
The Superintendent of Snowflake Unified School District, Hollis Merrell, sent a letter to parents and staff on Oct. 6, stating that the reason for the denial was because the district hasn't approved any new clubs since 2009.
"During the economic recession around 2009, the district placed a moratorium on new clubs in order to reduce costs and minimize fundraisers, which were creating financial strain on local businesses and the community. At that time, we also began eliminating clubs not directly tied to the curriculum," Merrell said.
He said two legal options were available: approve all new clubs, or not allow any new clubs.
The district decided no new clubs is the way to go, saying that the political nature of Turning Point USA was not a factor in denying the students' request.
"Unfortunately, this decision has triggered an emotional reaction from some adults in and outside our community, including threats of organizing protests around the school. This behavior is unacceptable and deeply concerning. Law enforcement has been contacted and is aware of the situation," the letter read. "Let us be clear: disrupting or interfering with the normal operation of an educational institution is a felony offense in Arizona (A.R.S. § 13-2911). This situation has now become a school and student safety concern. Any violations will be taken seriously and investigated."
The superintendent reminds the community to be "peacemakers" and to exemplify civil discourse for students.
Merrell says students can be part of a Turning Point USA chapter outside of the school, and makes a plea to the community to allow schools to stay safe and free from outside disruption.
He says the best way for parents to get information they need about issues they might be having is to contact the school directly.
Dig deeper:
Merrell says he's been associated with the school since 1996, and to his knowledge, isn't aware of any political clubs that have been formed at Snowflake High School.
FOX 10 asked if there had ever been a Democrat-based club request, and the superintendent's response was, "All new club requests have been denied since the 2009 decision. I don't know if there has ever been a Democrat based club request. We are a very conservative community and our schools reflect conservative values."
He makes it clear that there are "strong" and "active" clubs available for students, which were formed before 2009.
Despite the TPUSA chapter denial, the district is making an effort to ensure students are involved in an organization that fits their political beliefs.
"We have been in contact with a representative of a local Club America which is the TPUSA youth organization. We made fliers available for our students when they were forming early this school year. I have been in communication with the TPUSA rep for Northern Arizona. I learned from him that there are no other schools in Northern Arizona sponsoring TPUSA clubs," Merrell said.
FOX 10 reached out to TPUSA for comment, but it hasn't responded.
Big picture view:
Turning Point USA was founded by the late Charlie Kirk who was assassinated while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. TPUSA is based in Phoenix, and following his death, mourners spent weeks outside the building.
Kirk's body was flown back to Phoenix on Air Force Two a day after he was killed. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance flew with Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk.
A memorial was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, bringing tens of thousands of people to the west Valley city.
Andrew Kolvet, the executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," who also serves as a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, told FOX Business' Maria Bartiromo that the organization has received more than 37,000 requests to start new chapters around the country.
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Charlie Kirk's casket flown back to Phoenix
One day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event at a university in Utah, his casket was flown back to the Valley via Air Force Two, as supporters gather to remember the right-wing political figure. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas reports.