Flint Board pauses action on asbestos-related "binders" pending attorney review

The Flint Board of Education on the evening of the meeting tabled action on an item described in the agenda as resolution 11.14 (and a related agenda item) after members said they needed legal advice about materials described in the discussion as O'Hara/asbestos "binders." The board directed staff to arrange an attorney briefing and scheduled a follow-up meeting for next week before deciding whether to proceed.

Board members said the issue surfaced during the meeting and involved new information that required counsel review. President McNeal told the board the correct next step was to consult the district attorneys and to delay action until the board could meet together with counsel. Superintendent Jones and staff reported they had contacted affected parties about the pause and said additional detail would be provided to the board at the attorney briefing. One board member recommended placing a temporary hold on related property sales until the legal review is complete; the board agreed to return to the matter after the attorneys meet with trustees.

Why it matters: trustees described the item as connected to legal and safety questions, and they said proceeding without counsel could require walking back decisions later. The board emphasized the need for a joint, informed decision; President McNeal and staff said they expected to provide more information and a time for the attorney meeting in the coming days.

The board did not take a final vote on the substance of the materials discussed and instead recorded that resolution 11.14 was tabled. Trustees said owners connected to the agenda item had been contacted about the temporary pause and that staff would follow up with the board after the attorney briefing.