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Board votes to decline Section 31AA state aid pending legal clarifications
Summary
Citing ambiguous last-minute stipulations, the superintendent recommended and the board voted to opt out of Section 31AA state aid for 2025–26; the district estimates the allocation would have been about $139,000.
The Bedford Board of Education voted to decline Section 31AA state aid for the 2025–26 fiscal year after the superintendent advised caution because of unclear, last‑minute stipulations attached to the funds.
Superintendent Carl said Bedford Public Schools’ current estimate of the allocation is about $139,000 but that the grant language included stipulations he and the district legal team found potentially inconsistent with state and federal law. He told trustees that while the district has historically used similar funds for school resource officer support, cameras, mental-health services and professional development, the new conditions created legal ambiguity.
"I'm going to ask that the district opt out of the funds at this time," Carl said, adding that the district is in a strong fiscal position and would continue funding existing safety and mental‑health programs through general fund dollars and other grants if necessary. The superintendent noted a November 30 deadline to accept or decline and said the board could reconvene in a special meeting if clarifying guidance or a legal challenge changes the picture before the deadline.
Griffin moved the motion that the Board not accept Section 31AA state aid for 2025–26; the motion passed by roll call with all voting members present voting yes and one excused.
Why this matters: The grant would have provided targeted funds for safety and mental‑health supports, but trustees chose to prioritize legal clarity and the district’s current fiscal position over accepting funds with uncertain conditions.
What’s next: Administrators said they will monitor guidance from the Michigan Department of Education, the attorney general’s office, the governor’s office and any legal developments, and could call a special meeting if needed before the acceptance deadline.
