KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With millions of dollars for school security and mental health programs on the line, the Kalamazoo Public Schools board has agreed to a controversial state provision involving mass casualty incidents, like school shootings.
Last year, the fight over that provision went all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court.
School districts argued that the state language was vague and stripped them of some of their legal rights, but the justices disagreed.
Board president Ti’Anna Harrison read from the resolution exactly what the district will be required to do, should an incident involving multiple deaths or serious injuries occur.
Last year, 65% of the school districts in Michigan opted-out, including KPS.
Superintendent Darrin Slade says the state has reworded the stipulation this year.
Dr. Slade says the bottom line is that opting-in is what’s best for students, which is reducing the risk of such an event occurring.
School Finance Director Laura Kayser says action could mean over three-million-dollars in additional state funding this school year.
The KPS board held a special meeting Monday to accept the conditions and apply for the funding, which can be spent to improve security, provide mental health services and hire staff to upgrade those services.
State lawmakers say that requiring comprehensive state investigations and access to protected information will allow them to evaluate emergency response effectiveness and improve safety protocols in schools, preventing future incidents.
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