Livonia Public Schools declines Section 31AA funding, joins multi‑district lawsuit

During a lengthy policy discussion on Nov. 17 the Livonia Public Schools Board and the superintendent announced that the district will not opt into Section 31AA funding included in the state2025-26 budget and that the district has joined other Michigan districts in filing suit to seek clarification.

Superintendent (transcript spelling variants) described the district's review and said the board and administration "remain very concerned about the language utilized in that legislation." The superintendent flagged a central issue: sections of the legislation appear to require the waiving of privileges and could affect confidential student and personnel information. She told the board: "We do not feel it is responsible for us to move forward with opting into this funding with such a vague and ambiguous understanding of what is being required, not just for this year, but potentially for years to come." (Transcript attribution: superintendent remarks as recorded.)

The board discussed the matter at a special Nov. 11 meeting and at the Nov. 17 regular meeting. Trustees who spoke urged caution and emphasized the district's commitment to safety while opposing language they said risks constitutional protections:

- Trustee McFarland said he supports the decision and would not accept an approach that could create "a chink in our armor" for student or staff protection; he framed the choice as prioritizing the district's ability to preserve services over accepting unclear conditions for funding.

- Trustee Burton said she "absolutely will not vote to waive somebody else's constitutional rights" and described concerns about language with no stated time limit that could expose individuals to future legal risk.

- Trustee Jarvis said the district had planned previously for 31AA as potentially one‑time funding and had not used it for recurring long‑term staffing costs; she said the district is prepared to turn down the money if necessary.

The superintendent said the district remains committed to proactive safety and mental‑health supports and that those protections "will remain in place regardless of accepting, opting in, or not opting in to this funding." The board voted on bylaw and policy items after the discussion and stated the district would continue work through legal channels to seek clarification from the state.

The administration said districts needed to opt in by Nov. 30; Livoniagiven the lack of clarity in statutory language and the potential consequenceshas chosen not to do so and to pursue judicial review alongside other school districts.