OK, here's where stuff gets real. Remember my advice from the last thread. You have to make every administrator who touches this know that it's more effort to tell you no than yes. Because if you give them reasons, you're going to come back with facts. Again and again. If you get started now, you MIGHT be able to get this going next fall. Still with me? OK, let's go to the next steps.
0. First of all, how big is your district? It makes a big difference if it's a small district with 2-5 schools than a big one with dozens. I'm mostly writing for a big district, but your approach is pretty similar for small districts. In general, the larger a district is, the more careful they will be about following the bureaucracy to a T.
1. Gather your data. Find out what local schools near you have TARC teams. Get some press clippings if you can for teams that went to TARC nationals. Call up NAR and ask for their data set showing that rocketry is really safe (TARC has some of this on their website, too). Get a copy of what the NAR/Tripoli insurance covers, and set up a plan for how to make sure you'll have insurance. If you can, find an experienced mentor in the area who is willing to give you a little time to help with the process. Worst case, bring in your dad.
2. Go to your vice principal. Tell him you're very sorry to bother him, you still want to work through these issues, but you know that the decision is out of his hands. You've got data showing that rocketry is far safer than just about any organized sport, and you want to know who made the decision at district HQ so that you can talk to them directly. Also, would the vice principal be willing to help you navigate the bureaucracy on this? Background: most school administrators hate the people at district HQ. HQ is always coming up with harebrained schemes that the school admins have to implement and then blaming school admins when they don't work. I wish I were joking. This is probably less so in a small district than a big one, If you go in specifically asking not to take up much of the VP's time, he's also probably more willing to give you more support that will be valuable later.
3. You have a name at district HQ. Ask them for an appointment, saying that you understand their safety concerns, but you'd like to present them with some more information so that they can think over the decision. Make it clear that you're not asking them to make a decision during the meeting, you just want to give them information so that they can think over the decision. Bring in a copy of the NAR/Tripoli safety code, talk about how these aren't fireworks, pull down some video of TARC teams launching in a safe way, etc. His next statement will be that they'd like to consider it, but it's just too risky. That's when you ask how they deal with football. He'll say something about waivers and insurance. You say that OF COURSE parents would have to sign waivers, and would the NAR insurance help? (pass coverage statement over the table). Tell him that you know this is a lot to digest. Could he take a week or so to look stuff over and get back to you? When you are finishing up the meeting, say that you have the following action items for you (getting information, etc.). Ask what their action items are. Background: Legal/risk wants to say no because there's no upside on this for them. Best case, nothing bad happens and nobody gives him any credit. Worst case, something REALLY bad happens and the district comes for his job. I wish this weren't the case, but it's the way it is, especially in bigger districts. However, these guys are also trained to follow rules. If you can bring up other examples where clubs/sports that do dangerous stuff get approved, then they have a harder time saying no. For them, having inconsistent policies is actually more likely to get them fired than applying one policy consistently.
4. At the same time as 3, go to a school board meeting. It will probably be in the evening, and it will probably bore you to tears. On the other hand, it is your best shot to get in touch with the people that actually make the decisions. If you elect the school board by districts, find out who your board member is. When you're at the meeting, profile the board members. Are there some that just don't seem to care? Are there some that are more attentive? Can you tell who has better or worse relationships with the district staff? From this, pick a board member to approach. Take yours (if you have one) unless they are checked out or seem to have a bad relationship with staff. Otherwise, take one who's interested and not combative. Try to talk with them at a break in the meeting (or before/after). Introduce yourself, say what school you're at, and say that you want to start up a rocketry club, but the district has some reasonable concerns about safety. You've been working with ____ in legal on this, but you heard that the school board weighed in as well. Can you set up a meeting to talk about how this club will operate safely and without adding a lot of liability to the district? They may ask you to just work with the district staff. In that case, say that you'll do that, but ask if you can keep them updated on your progress. If they say yes, send an email over after every meeting with a quick summary of what you talked about and what action items you or the staff have coming out of the meetings. Ask the staff person if they want to be cc'd on the email. Background: The school board typically works for voters, the superintendent works for the school board, and the district staff work for the superintendent. School board members want good publicity and not to piss off parents (aka voters). They're also the people who can tell the superintendent "hey, let's figure out a way around this." Their time in breaks at board meetings are pretty precious, so don't take up a lot. Asking for a meeting shows that you're serious and respectful of their time.
On both 3 and 4, if you get a meeting you'll probably be told no the first time. Ask what their reasons are and if you can bring them more information that addresses those reasons. If they say that they don't have the authority to allow this to happen, ask if you can schedule a meeting with someone who does have that authority. Make it clear that you'd really like to get the club started in the fall so you have a good chance to compete at TARC (if that's a goal). Wash, rinse, and repeat.
Finally, be courteous, respectful, and friendly, even when you get told no. If they say you can't have a meeting, ask if there is a time when they are available. If they say you have to talk with someone else first, go talk with that person and make sure you say that ___ sent you over to talk with them. Most school district employees or school board members are used to getting yelled at by parents who don't care what the policies are, just that they want the school to break the rules for their kids. I wish I was joking, but I'm not. The fact that you are a student advocating for yourself and that you are friendly and respectful of the process will get you a long way toward success. My experience is that you can nearly always get meetings if you are persistent and friendly. If you yell at someone, then they have a perfect excuse to never talk to you again. Finally, dress appropriately. When you go to a meeting, wear a button-down shirt and either khakis or slacks. Nice jeans will work if you have to, but it helps to be dressed like the people you're talking to. Sending a thank you note or email for meetings doesn't hurt, either.
This got a lot longer than I expected. It might be a summer project. But I really do think that it will work. Plus, you have a good guide for when you have something else you want from a big faceless bureaucracy.