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Parent says son was suspended after alleged marijuana admission, raises profiling concern
Summary
During public comment, parent Tierra Hunter said school staff told her son he admitted to having marijuana; the family contends he later denied admitting it and believes he was racially profiled after disciplinary measures. The board record does not show a formal board response.
During the public-comment portion of the June 29 meeting, Tierra Hunter of Muskegon described a disciplinary incident involving her son at Orchard View High School.
Hunter said that school staff, including Mr. Wilkerson, told her they believed the student had admitted to possessing marijuana; staff confiscated a jacket that reportedly smelled of marijuana. Hunter said her son told her he did not actually admit to using or possessing marijuana and that he felt pressured to say so because he was scared. Following the incident, Hunter said her son was removed from some privileges, had to take exams without a Chromebook for a period, and later regained his Chromebook and completed exams. Hunter said the family believes the actions amounted to racial profiling.
The minutes record the parent's concern but do not show a formal response from the superintendent, administration or board members in the meeting record. The transcript notes Mr. Wilkerson's involvement in the incident but does not include extended testimony from him addressing the family's allegations.
Next steps: the minutes state the superintendent 'brought the Board up to speed a bit on tonight’s public comment' but do not record further public follow-up or disciplinary review outcomes in this meeting's record. For privacy and personnel reasons the minutes do not list individual student discipline outcomes beyond the parent's statement.
