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Saginaw board votes to opt into 31a funding for 2025–26 despite legal concerns over privilege waiver
Summary
The Saginaw School District board voted 5–0 Dec. 3 to opt into section 31a funding for 2025–26 after Superintendent R. Roberts warned the funding includes new certification requirements and a possible waiver of attorney‑client privilege in mass‑casualty situations; the board reserved the right to opt out pending litigation.
The Saginaw School District Board voted unanimously Dec. 3 to let administration opt into section 31a funding for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with the board reserving the right to opt out if pending litigation resolves against the program.
Superintendent R. Roberts told the board the Michigan Department of Education had extended the opt‑in deadline to Dec. 4 and that the funding carries new certification requirements and a legal condition that could require districts to waive attorney‑client privilege in mass‑casualty situations. "The superintendent recommended that the Board approve the administration to opt into section 31a funding for the 2025-26 Fiscal year, and if necessary, to opt out based on the outcome of pending litigation," Roberts said.
Vice President J. Nash moved the recommendation and Secretary K. Rooker supported it. A voice call vote was taken and the motion carried with five ayes and no nays (Treasurer R. A. Knapp was absent). The board approved the administration to opt into the funding now and retained the option to withdraw by Dec. 30 if legal rulings make participation untenable.
Board members asked questions after the vote; Roberts answered those questions but the transcript does not record further specifics about implementation, certification timelines, or budget amounts.
What happens next: the board's action allows district staff to accept the funding subject to the administration's evaluation and the outcome of ongoing litigation. Any decision to opt back out was described as allowable before Dec. 30, 2025, according to the superintendent's presentation.
