BLUE RIDGE, GA – The Fannin County School System will not interfere in the possible formation of any club within the school system as long as that club meets the school’s requirements, Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney said Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The possible formation of a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club at Fannin County High has been a local hot-button issue for the past week. There has been rigorous debate within the community, both online and off, with community members weighing in heavily on both sides.

The possibility of the club’s formation began after a pair of petitions showed up on Change.org, one for and one against, Sept. 25.

Cioffi felt the discussion important enough to issue a statement in the form of a letter the same day, which stated the guidelines for forming a club. He said later in the week that any group meeting the criteria would get approval to form a club.

“I support everything Mr. Cioffi said in his letter and when interviewed,” Dr. Gwatney said Tuesday, Oct. 1, adding that as long as the guidelines for club formation are met, the club would be allowed to form.

Gwatney also stated that the matter was a “non-issue until something formal is done.” He echoed Cioffi’s words from last week, saying that no request to form any new club has been made and no certified teacher has stepped forward as a sponsor.

View Cioffi’s letter here.

View Cioffi’s statement on the issue here.

As to whether or not the school system would have the authority to override the school’s approval of any club, Dr. Gwatney said he didn’t know because such issues aren’t treated in that manner.

“We don’t look at it like that. We work with the schools and try everything possible to resolve the issue at the school level,” Dr. Gwatney said. “There may be some kind of hierarchy, but we don’t look to that for guidance.”

Dr. Gwatney said he had no issues allowing members of the system’s administration to make big decisions.

“We are fortunate we have such a good administration that makes such good decisions,” Dr. Gwatney said. “Everyone is treated fairly (and) held to the same criteria.”