Franklin County School Clubs

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
In the spring of 2016, the Franklin County Board of Education revised the School Clubs and Organizations Policy and advised Director of Schools Amie Lonas on revising related procedures, the process students who want to join a club will follow and the process for starting a new club.
 The 2016–17 Franklin County High School Handbook lists 27 student clubs and organizations. Six additional clubs are listed on the FCHS website. Assistant Principal Lisa Crabtree said the list is based on active clubs at the end of school last year and would likely change. The Huntland School 2016–17 Handbook lists seven clubs and organizations offered to high school age youth. Lonas, school principals and club faculty advisors met recently to formalize the procedure process for student club membership.
 At Franklin County High School, club advisors will advertise their clubs,  making the student body aware of the clubs they oversee and host introductory meetings. At the introductory meeting, students will receive information on membership requirements and any fees, Crabtree said. Students will also be advised on the parental permission process the club uses, a form or other written instrument designating parental approval.
 According to the revised School Clubs and Organizations Policy approved by the board in April, 2016 “no school shall permit a student to become a member or participate in any activities of a club or organization without written communication from the student’s parent or legal guardian approving the student’s membership or participation. The written communication must be signed and dated.”
 “Huntland High School will continue to use the same procedures we have implemented for the past few years,” said Principal Ken Bishop. Students who express interests in joining or becoming involved in a school club or organization will be given any necessary forms and, when applicable, an information packet detailing the mission, goals, and criteria of the club. The student will also receive a parental permission form which must be signed and returned. “We already have the Club/Organization Parent Permission Form posted on our website,” Bishop said.
 The revised procedural guidelines for school clubs and organizations also initiated changes in the process for forming new clubs and organizations. A student wanting to start a club would need to find a faculty advisor willing to oversee the club’s activities. The advisor must complete an application form stating the club’s mission, goals and objectives, and requirements for membership, if any. The school principal and leadership team reviews applications. If approved by the principal and leadership team, the application is presented to the director of school for final endorsement at the school board level.
Under the 1984 Equal Access Act, all federally funded secondary schools must provide equal access to extracurricular clubs which request a forum unless the club would “materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school.”
A controversy arising in response to the formation of a Gay Straight Alliance Club last winter prompted the Board’s decision to revise the School Clubs and Organizations Policy.
See below for a list of clubs offered during the 2016–17 school year. Please note the list is subject to change.