The debate over allowing middle school students to form a Gay-Straight Alliance club may end non-curriculum clubs at all Lake County public schools.
Students at Carver Middle School in Leesburg want to start the club as a way to combat the bullying of homosexual students.
A student asked last year, but the principal said no. This year the student was joined by other students, some teachers and the American Civil Liberties Union to ask the school's new principal.
The school board attorney is going to now draft two different measures -- one that would allow only curriculum-based clubs at middle schools, while allowing non-curriculum clubs at high schools. Another would ban all non-curriculum clubs at all schools.
The district says 30 percent to 40 percent of clubs are non-curriculum based. A ban would ban clubs such as Key Clubs, Beta Clubs, drama clubs, chess clubs and a cup stacking club that is already approved at Carver Middle School.
During a board meeting Monday, board member Bill Mathias said a hand had been forced because of the push of Gay-Straight Alliance.
The other school board members say the issue made them realize they weren't giving their principals enough direction. Currently it is up to the principal to decide.