Farmington trustees vote to opt in for Section 31aa school safety funds with limits on privilege waiver
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Farmington Public Schools Board voted Dec. 2 to opt in to receive Section 31aa mental‑health and school safety funds, authorizing the superintendent to sign applicable documents while limiting any attorney‑client privilege waiver to defined mass‑casualty circumstances and to the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Farmington Public Schools trustees voted Dec. 2 to authorize the district to opt in to state Section 31aa funding and directed the superintendent to execute required Michigan Department of Education documents.
Trustee Claudia Heinrich moved the resolution, saying the board “declares its intent to opt in to receive section 31aa funds” and that any waiver of privilege be limited in scope and duration. The motion, supported by Trustee Walker, passed on a roll‑call vote with all recorded members voting yes.
The board discussed two draft options: one that would automatically rescind an opt‑in if courts ruled unfavorably on pending lawsuits and a second that would opt in while reserving the board’s right to rescind before 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2025. Recinto and other trustees emphasized the need to define terms in the resolution — including what constitutes a “mass casualty” and explicit time limits for any privilege waiver — so the district would not waive attorney‑client confidentiality indefinitely.
Superintendent Dr. Coffin told the board the district stands to receive roughly $1,200,000 for school safety if the state funds are disbursed; trustees repeatedly framed the choice as balancing student safety funding against legal and privacy safeguards. Trustee Heinrich described the resolution as a way to accept funds while preserving the board’s options if litigation outcomes change.
The board vote authorizes the superintendent to execute documents required by the state and explicitly states the district does not waive attorney‑client privilege except within the narrow, time‑limited circumstances defined by the motion. The resolution also reserves the board’s right to rescind its opt‑in decision prior to the Dec. 30 deadline.
Next steps: The superintendent will submit the required documentation for the district to be listed to receive Section 31aa funds; the board retains the authority to return and rescind the decision before the Dec. 30 deadline if circumstances require it.