District says 31aa safety-and-mental-health funding outcome hinges on court rulings

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Berthiaume told the St. Johns Public Schools Board that a technical submission issue means the district may yet receive 31aa safety and mental‑health funds from the 2025 School Aid State budget despite a December 2025 board resolution declining the grant over concerns about waiving attorney‑client privilege. He said the district will await rulings at the State Appellate Court level and potential federal review for clear guidance.

Dr. Berthiaume outlined the specific legal questions the courts may address, including whether a waiver of attorney‑client privilege would be required, how “mass casualty” would be defined for the waiver, and the potential duration of any waiver if the funding were accepted. "Due to a technical submission issue, the district has the potential to receive the funding and will wait to see the outcome of the legal proceedings both at the State Appellate Court and federal level, which may include a possible reversal, clarity on waiving attorney‑client privilege, definition of mass casualty, and length of waving those rights, if funding were to be accepted," he said. The superintendent said additional guidance is expected by mid to late March; the board did not take new action at the Feb. 9 meeting.