Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen unveiled a statewide partnership with the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA on Feb. 10 to expand its Club America chapters in high schools across the state, saying the effort will boost civic engagement and free speech among students. 

Pillen announced the initiative at a news conference at the Governor’s Mansion, where he pledged support for students interested in starting Club America chapters. Club America chapters are student-led organizations associated with Turning Point USA’s advocacy of limited government and conservative values. The governor’s office said the push aims for a presence in every Nebraska high school. 

“Certainly, the goal is very, very achievable, that we can have a chapter in every school in the great state of Nebraska,” Pillen said at the conference. “So that we truly understand how great the United States of America is…and that we learn to have civil, civic engagement so that our voices are heard.”  

Pillen did not take questions from reporters following the announcement. His staff later clarified that the initiative is not a mandate requiring schools to adopt the clubs, but rather a partnership that can assiststudents who want to organize them.  

Turning Point USA is a national conservative nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by political activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last September. The group focuses on promoting free markets, limited government and conservative values among students.  

Turning Point USA said in its preview materials that Club America chapters are meant to educate students about civic responsibility and leadership. The organization currently lists more than 1,200 chapters nationally and about 40 across Nebraska high schools and colleges. That includes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, whose chapter got attention after hosting a large vigil following Kirk’s death. Central does not currently have a chapter. 

“No one has approached me to form a Club America yet,” said Jodi Dierks, Central assistant principal. To form a club at Central, a student interested must find a sponsor, have the sponsor fill out forms regarding sufficient student interest and meeting information, and then submit the forms to Dierks. She would then approve the club to begin meeting.  

Pillen’s partnership drew criticism from some voices who argue that state involvement with a politically oriented organization blurs neutrality in public education. 

“While I myself have my own opinions on Turning Point USA, I believe that a student should have the right to start one of these clubs, or something similar,” said Nora Wessel, president of Central’s Student Progressives club. “However, I do not understand why they are unable to do that now if they so wish…Governor Pillen’s initiative is a blatant example of government overreach.” Wessel added that she believes decisions about school clubs should rest with students. 

The Nebraska State Education Association expressed concern about a statewide government-led push, saying decisions about student activities should be made locally by school boards, administrators, parents and students rather than through a statewide partnership. The union also reiterated that public schools must remain politically neutral environments. 

Supporters of the partnership say it reinforces students’ rights to free speech and engagement, pointing to the fact that students can form non-curriculum-related clubs based on interest.