School Board passes resolution asking for local control over guns

The Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education wants local control over its school campuses and doesn’t want the state to usurp that contol and allow those carrying firearms there, unless they are police officers.
At Monday’s regular meeting the board passed a motion, on a 5-2 vote, to send to Governor Rick Snyder and the district’s State House Representatives and State Senators.
Trustees Simone Pinter and Darlene Gerick voted no.
The final paragraph of the resolution read: “The Board urges lawmakers and the Governor as they debate and enact legislation to declare school grounds as a safety sensitive zone and to allow local school boards to enact policies prohibiting an individual who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon from carrying a pistol, whether concealed or unconcealed, on school grounds, unless statutorily required to permit possession of firearms, such as for law enforcement personnel.”
The resolution addressed Senate Bills 584-586, passed by the Senate on Nov. 8, which prohibit open carrying but permit concealed carry on school grounds, day care centers, sports arenas, large concert halls, taverns, places of worship, hospitals, college dorms or classrooms, and casinos.
The bills now are in a House of Representatives committee. The school district’s law firm, Collins & Blaha, prepared two pages of background information on the bills and two pages of resolution wording for the board to consider.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board:
• Approved the 2017-18 budget amendment resolution presented by Director of Finance Shareen Barker. This is the first amendment since adoption of the original budget in June. The amendment adjustments total an increase in revenues of $1,482,229 and an increase in expenditures of $1,719,176, leaving a negative net result to the fund balance of $236,947;
• Approved a Schools of Choice declaration for the second semester for an unlimited number of openings. Board President Keith Johnston said he is glad the district is not taking “somebody else’s problems” and are vetting the kids coming in. Curriculum Director Jeff Moore said there are more checks and balances now than were done in the past; and
• Approved hiring Jessica Carlin as an English teacher at Belleville High School.