Caledonia speakers urge board to avoid new mask policy, question hiring of constitutional law firm and call for trustee background checks

Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education meeting — Public comment: Multiple residents urged the board not to adopt a district-wide mask policy that would override health department guidance, questioned plans to hire an additional constitutional law firm, and asked the board to require background checks for trustees.

Speakers including James Ernest, a resident who posted a public letter, said the board should not adopt a policy “that you are not legally empowered to make” and questioned whether a draft policy “was drafted with the help of Coleman Legal of Lansing or with Coleman’s help.” Ernest added that hiring legal counsel tied to a drafted policy would create the appearance of a conflict: “The appearance created by this post is that you are being urged to pass a Coleman‑drafted policy that would expose this district to legal liability, while at the same time, you are being urged to…