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Gull Lake board adopts resolution finding student possessed knives, orders expulsion through second trimester
Summary
At a special Oct. 24 meeting the Gull Lake Community Schools Board adopted a resolution finding that a student possessed two knives with blades over three inches and a Swiss Army knife on Oct. 9, 2025, and expelled the student through the end of the 2025–2026 second trimester; the Board found the student did not know the knives were dangerous weapons.
The Gull Lake Community Schools Board of Trustees on Oct. 24, 2025 adopted a resolution finding that a student possessed two knives with blades over three inches and a Swiss Army knife in a weapon-free school zone on Oct. 9, 2025 and voted to expel the student through the end of the second trimester of the 2025–2026 school year. The action followed a closed-session disciplinary hearing and a unanimous 4–0 recorded vote by members present (AYES: Paulose-Murphy, Mendez, Zervic, LaDuke; ABSENT: Scott-Rhodes, McCann, Keene).
Attorney Jennifer Starlin read the proposed resolution to the Board after the closed session. The resolution states in part: "A preponderance of the evidence establishes that on October 9, 2025, the Student possessed dangerous weapons, two knives with blades over three inches, in a weapon-free school zone, and possessed a Swiss army knife." The resolution also records the Board's determination that although the possession occurred, "clear and convincing evidence establishes that the Student did not know or have reason to know that the knives constituted dangerous weapons," and therefore permanent expulsion was not ordered.
Under the terms the Board adopted, the Student is expelled through the end of the second trimester of the 2025–2026 school year and may return for the third trimester only after the Student and the Student's parent arrange a meeting with administration to develop a safety plan. The resolution further prohibits the Student from being on school grounds or attending District functions during the expulsion period without prior written approval from an appropriate administrator.
The Board cited Revised School Code Section 1311(2) in its preamble and implemented the resolution consistent with the Michigan Open Meetings Act procedures used to conduct the closed hearing. The meeting minutes were signed at adjournment and later approved on Nov. 17, 2025.
