The Iowa State Board of Education has determined that the Turning Point USA chapter at Johnston High School will remain as an approved group on campus after months of back and forth between liberal parents and conservative students attending the school.
In April of 2022, the Johnston School Board voted 5-2 to approve the student-led TPUSA chapter, though a small number of parents fought the approval at school board meetings for months and even succeeded in delaying the process.
The chapter’s presence evoked the wrath of local media writers who claimed that the “far-right national organization . . . has no place in Johnston schools,” and criticized the mission of TPUSA, claiming that the organization has “been involved in controversy over their false claims and methods to garner attention.”
After their efforts to ban the chapter from campus failed, the parents filed an appeal with the Iowa Department of Education to escalate their concerns and repeal the chapter’s approval. The four adults challenging the District Board’s decision consist of three parents of students currently attending Johnston High School, and one additional adult. The group argued that, “members violated the board’s policy when they publicly advocated for the club on social media prior to the vote.”
While awaiting an official date of hearing from the state board, students and parents continued to attend local board meetings in an effort to make their individual cases and hash out disagreements.
“Coming here to address you all tonight has put a target on my back.”
“But I will stand up for my peers in free speech no matter what it takes. I hope to inspire others to stand up for what they believe in despite grownups at least twice my age trying to silence me.”
TPUSA Chapter Member at Johnson High School — September 2022
After hearing oral arguments from both sides, the Iowa State Board of Education upheld the school districts initial opinion to approve the Turning Point USA chapter, and determined that the vote was in accordance with district and state policy.
“After considering the evidence presented and the arguments of the parties and counsel, the undersigned recommends that the School Board’s decision be AFFIRMED.”
Iowa Board of Education
