LANSING (WKZO-AM)– Governor Snyder has signed legislation that actually hands back some authority to local school boards. The new law will permit local trustees determine the appropriate punishments for students who bring weapons to school or commit offenses that have required mandatory expulsion.
It erases the one-size-fits-all policy that may have been an overreaction to Columbine and other school shooting incidents.
Districts found themselves having to expel students who brought butter knives to school to cut birthday cakes, and having to make other decisions that were just not in the best interest of the students.
Kalamazoo Schools Supt. Michael Rice says it’s a good thing that will fold in well with their efforts to reduce expulsions and suspensions with prevention programs.
He says this also will make it easier to do what’s in the best interest of the kids.
School boards will be allowed to take a number of factors into consideration before deciding if a suspension or expulsion is the right way to go.
