Board discusses State School Aid Act Section 31aa grant, raises attorney‑client privilege concerns

At its Nov. 10 meeting, the Carson City‑Crystal Area Schools board discussed applying for a mental‑health and safety grant under the State School Aid Act Section 31aa but took no formal action.

Board member M. Jensen, who attended a Zoom briefing on the program, said the grant this year may carry implications for attorney‑client privilege if the district opts in. "There could be ramifications to lawyer‑client privilege," Jensen said, raising hesitation about authorizing the district to accept the award without legal clarity. Board member R. Lankford voiced similar concerns about waiving privilege.

Superintendent Sattler said the district has contacted "Thrun" for guidance and noted the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) allows districts to apply for and accept Section 31aa funds without prior board approval. Sattler and staff member Cyrena indicated they could submit an application without board action. The board chose not to take action on the agenda item.

Why it matters: The Section 31aa award funds mental‑health and safety services in schools, a priority for districts seeking expanded counseling and safety supports. Board members framed the question as weighing potential legal exposure tied to information‑sharing requirements against the benefits of additional mental‑health resources.

What happened next: The item was listed on the Action Agenda as "State School Aid Act Section 31aa" but no motion or vote followed. The board did not instruct staff to proceed or to decline; rather, staff indicated they could apply administratively while the board retains oversight.

The discussion did not result in a vote; next steps were not specified on the record.