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District official says GHAPS "is in full compliance" with Michigan BTAM law
Summary
Director of Safety & Security Trent Carithers briefed the board on Michigan's Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) law requiring threat assessment teams in all school buildings by Oct. 1, 2026, and stated the district has adopted the Michigan BTAM and is in full compliance.
Superintendent Kristin Perkowski introduced Director of Safety & Security Trent Carithers at the March 9 Board meeting for an overview of Michigan's Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) law. Carithers told trustees that the law requires public schools to establish threat assessment teams and procedures in every building by Oct. 1, 2026, and that GHAPS "is in full compliance."
Carithers described the district's transition to the Michigan BTAM model, the required staff training, and the assessment steps the teams use to evaluate threats. The minutes record that GHAPS has maintained a threat assessment process for years and has moved to the state model to provide continuity with other districts. The presentation did not record any formal motions to change district procedure; the item was an informational briefing to the board.
The board later moved to closed session to consider security planning under the Michigan Open Meetings Act; the closed session began at 8:37 PM and the board returned to open session at 9:39 PM. The minutes do not state specific security actions taken in closed session.
