CLINTON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Clinton Public School District responded to social media posts that claimed school administrators at Clinton High School denied a request for students to establish a Turning Point USA chapter.

Turning Point USA is the nonprofit organization that was founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

According to the school district, individuals on social media incorrectly reported that school administrators denied the request for students to establish the chapter. They said all student clubs are required to be student-initiated, student-led and student-conducted with appropriate school supervision. Officials said school authorities or district employees are prohibited from promoting or leading such organizations and their meetings.

The initial process to create this student organization originated from a school employee and not from within the student body. This is specifically prohibited in District Policy JAB.

Since that time, Clinton High School’s principal has met with students who are potentially interested in starting such an organization.

The process of establishing a student club or organization, including integrating it into the school’s club calendar, pursuing interest from fellow students and having it submitted to the CPSD Board of Trustees was explained to these interested students.

Clinton High School’s practice for new clubs is to integrate any newly formed organization as fully operational at the start of the following school year.

Students within the Clinton Public School District are provided access to a multitude of non-curriculum-related student groups and clubs.

Participation of students in any club is voluntary and of their own volition. Students are encouraged to explore future clubs or organizations.

Clinton Public School District

Russ Latino, the founder and CEO of Magnolia Tribune, said his social media posts about the request were correct. He said school officials gave different reasons as to why the club was denied.

“The two reasons they gave that was teacher-led. They simultaneously said students had also expressed interest. Right? So, that seems to cure whatever defect there was around it being teacher-led. And then the second reason that they gave was that it was out of time. But they didn’t cite any written policy for it,” Latino said. “I looked at that, and I thought, ‘Well, the same statement also says that students independently expressed interest in starting the club.’ So, it seemed like that was a bit of a pretense, at least from my perspective.”