Latest news with #ComstockPublicSchools
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Kalamazoo middle, high schools to use weapon detectors next fall
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Walking through weapon detectors will be part of the daily morning routine for many students in Kalamazoo Public Schools in the fall. The KPS Board of Education unanimously approved installing weapon detection systems at all middle and high school entrances during a meeting Wednesday night. Superintendent Darrin Slade said recent shootings in Texas and Florida highlight the need for expansion. 'There is a school shooting or a shooting in a school or university at least once a week. We just had one in Florida State University. We had one in a public school in Dallas, I think, this month already. The goal is to add an additional layer of security to make sure our students are as safe as possible,' he said during the meeting. GRPS future plans include security upgrades, electric buses Several board members spoke in support of the motion. Trustee Karla Murphy said she was hesitant at first because of previous experience with other detectors. 'Everyone taking their shoes off, everyone taking their belts off. Everyone taking their earrings out and taking their jewelry off; no watches. And that was just to get in to a federal building. These are not that,' Murphy said. She said the OPENGATE system the district uses can be adjusted to avoid an intensive process. Slade said the idea has been discussed for more than a year with teachers, parents and students. During meetings with parents in the winter, district leaders mentioned that last year, a at Kalamazoo Central High School. Slade said detectors were commonplace at his previous districts. The district bought 11 OPENGATE weapon detectors last November and has been using them at sporting events. Comstock Public Schools also use similar detectors during sporting events. uses a similar system. Comstock Public Schools rolls out new rules ahead of first home football game Slade previously said that there should be no additional cost since each middle and high school is already equipped with the system. Several parents at Maple Street Magnet School told News 8 that they like the plan. One woman said that while she supports the idea, she's concerned about long lines and the safety of students who gather outside of the schools and haven't yet walked through the detector. A trainer with CEIA USA, the marker of OPENGATE, said proper communication between students, parents and the district can help create a seamless and safe transition. There will be a test period in one of the district's buildings before the detectors go up in the fall, district leaders previously said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Comstock Public Schools removes transgender student policy, but says protections remain
COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Comstock Public Schools Board of Education says it has removed a policy on transgender students in response to a recent executive order. District leaders say protections and procedures still apply under other policies and state law. On March 10, the board voted to rescind policy 5106 on transgender students in a 5-2 vote after a two-hour closed session reviewing attorney communication. The policy had sections outlining definitions, notifications, student records and privacy, restroom and locker room access and staff training. PDF: Comstock Public Schools policy 5106 Policy 5106 protections are covered by other stand-alone policies, said Superintendent Jeff Thoenes. Students and staff are to report bullying and similar issues under the district's unlawful discrimination and harassment policies. As for bathroom and locker room usage, Thoenes said students are protected under Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Thoenes said the vote was about reducing the district's risk amid a changing federal landscape that makes it easier to target these types of policies. Last month, the U.S. Department of Education an online reporting tool targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and practices in schools. 'You could be a resident of another state, even, and comb through websites or issues and then file a complaint that you believe that the district isn't adhering to the executive order. So given that, the board decided to take the action it did, knowing that protections in Michigan were still valid and proper,' Thoenes said. Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money He said district staff members are working with affected students and their families on a case-by-case basis. One of those parents, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the policy solidified protections for their student. 'I think I can trust the staff to protect and respect my child and that brings me comfort. I find that the superintendent seems very genuine in concerns over children's safety,' the parent said. 'The problem is we have to have policy to protect these kids other than safeguards to, I don't know, come back when there's harm done.' Heather Standforth, communications and advocacy manager of OutFront Kalamazoo, said removing policy 5106 sends a discouraging message amid major federal changes. 'The school board is saying 'we're OK with that not being on written record,' that 'we are OK with not stating the intention of our entire school district to commit to protections for trans youth,' 'we're OK with actively taking that off the books,'' she said. 'That is in itself is a gesture that harms the trans community and the trans youth who are in these schools.' The Pentagon's DEI purge: Officials describe a scramble to remove and then restore online content During a school board meeting Monday night, more than a dozen people voiced their support for reimplementing the policy by sharing personal stories from educators, members of the trans community and parents. Board President Pamela Dickinson read from a statement reiterating that the vote came in the wake of a federal executive order. She said the district is committed to serving all students. 'While policy landscapes shift, our core values as a district do not. Every student deserves a safe and affirming environment where they can learn without fear and with the full support of their school community. The receding of this policy is not expected to affect the acceptance and respect of our students nor the mental well-being in their education journey,' Dickinson said. Thoenes said no other policies are under review right now. District policies can be found Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
