Lapeer Community Schools reports staff, counseling supports after death of elementary special-education teacher

Superintendent Watkins told the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education that Roxanne Johnson, an elementary special-education teacher, died in a traffic crash on M-24 and the district has activated staff and external supports to help the affected school community.

Watkins said the district and neighboring school agencies have provided “a ton of social emotional supports” and called retired staff, neighboring districts and county agencies to assist; the superintendent added that the district will continue an “ongoing support plan” for “however long it’s needed.”

The superintendent said staff remained “boots on the ground” at the school to assess needs and help students and staff. Watkins recounted addressing staff at the building and praised the school’s response: “If you would've walked into the [building] yesterday not knowing what had happened, you would've assumed it was a normal elementary school day like any other. And that is a true testament to professionalism and the courage, fortitude of those educators,” Watkins said.

Watkins told the board the district will publish information about funeral arrangements and coordinated donation or memorial efforts on the district website and Facebook page and that staff members will manage contacts for people who want to contribute. The superintendent asked the board and attendees to join in a moment of silence to recognize Johnson’s service.

No personnel actions, contract changes or disciplinary matters were announced at the meeting. The superintendent described the district response as continuing and directed staff to keep the community informed through official district channels.

Board members and presenters offered condolences and recognized the staff’s work supporting students during the period of grief; no formal board motion or vote about the matter was recorded in the public transcript.