Fruitport Board unanimously approves permanent expulsion of student after finding assault

The Fruitport Community Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 on June 8, 2026, to permanently expel a student identified to the board as Student 0616368973 after concluding, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the student physically assaulted another student on school property on May 28, 2026. The motion to approve the Board Resolution for student discipline (Item 26-50) was moved by Tim Burgess and seconded by Kathy Six. Roll-call votes recorded Burgess, Cole, Hazekamp, Meeuwenberg and Six voting yes; Steve Kelly and Josh Mueller were absent.

The resolution states that during the expulsion the student may not be on school grounds or attend district functions without prior written approval from an appropriate administrator, and may be referred to law enforcement for trespassing if the directive is not followed. The board allowed the student to attend Fruitport Adult Education solely for the purpose of receiving instructional services and participating in educational programming; the student must go directly to and from the Adult Education classroom and may not be present on other district property.

The resolution sets specific reinstatement conditions. The student may petition the board for reinstatement no sooner than 150 school days after the date of expulsion and, before reinstatement, must: demonstrate successful participation in an appropriate anger-management counseling program (including group and individual counseling) approved by the administration; submit credible evidence from a licensed professional that the student does not pose a risk of harm to themselves or others; refrain from conduct during the expulsion that the board views as detrimental to the student’s continued education; complete all recommendations in any psychological or counseling report to the satisfaction of the board; and demonstrate that they received and cooperated with educational instruction during the expulsion period.

The board cited consistency with the Revised School Code when adopting the resolution and delegated authority to administrators to implement its terms. Earlier in the meeting the board entered a closed session pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act upon written request of the student’s parent to conduct the disciplinary hearing. The board returned to open session at 6:21 p.m. and took the disciplinary vote afterward.

Votes at a glance: Item 26-47 (approve agenda) — motion carried 5-0, 2 absent; Item 26-48 (enter closed session under MOMA Sec. 8(b) for student discipline) — roll call recorded five yes, 2 absent; Item 26-49 (return to open session) — carried; Item 26-50 (approve resolution and permanent expulsion for Student 0616368973) — carried 5-0, 2 absent; Item 26-51 (adjourn) — carried 5-0, 2 absent. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

The board's action does not disclose identifying details beyond the internal student identifier the board used; the resolution limits the student’s presence on district property and specifies conditions for any future petition to return.