Superintendent Report

UPDATE

The District will be purchasing 2 "School Entrance" Road signs to be placed on Center STreet/County Road 681, alerting drivers that they are approaching the drive for South Walnut Elementary. Next Step is for the Bangor Township to approve the signs, then the County Road Commission will install the signs. Cost to the District: Approximately $450.00

Bangor Public Schools, along with Bangor Township and the Van Buren County Road Commission have teamed up to "Fix" the dirt road portion of South Walnut. Late this summer the Road commission applied a "Double Chip Seal" to the road leading out to South Center Street (681). This project was a financial savings compared to Asphalting the surface.

31aa FAQ – 2025-2026 (Fiscal Year 26) For questions, please email MDE-31aa@Michigan.gov 31aa Legislation (31aa can be found on pages 52-55) Definitions Application/applying/apply: The process of providing the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) plan for expending the funds awarded. Opting in: The process of accepting the funds in Subsection 2 of Section 31aa; funding is determined on a per-pupil basis. District: a public school, PSA, an ISD/RESA, non-public school, Michigan School for the Deaf Safety dog: a dog that is contracted by a law enforcement agency of this state, a local unit of government of this state, or a district or an intermediate district. The dog should be trained for detection of firearms, explosives, narcotics, or vape substances. Funding What are the requirements for this funding? There are multiple parts to this funding for FY26. To receive funding under subsection 2, districts will need to opt-in to the funding and agree to submit an expense report on how the funds were spent by July 1, 2026.The opt-in form will be housed in GEMS/MARS and can be accessed through the MiLogin portal. Information about opting in can be found in the slide deck on the Office of Health and Safety website and in the webinar hosted by MDE on October 20, 2025. To receive funding under subsections 4 and 5, districts will need to apply to receive the funding and submit all required plans. These competitive applications will be housed in NexSys and the availability date will be announced when the application development is completed. Are there certifications that will need to be agreed upon to receive this funding? Yes. Recipients of these funds will need to agree to the following items: • To complete an expense report by July 1, 2026 • Return funds that were used on unallowable expenses • Agree to be subject to a comprehensive investigation, waive any privilege that may otherwise protect information from disclosure in the event of a mass casualty event, and must agree to comply with a comprehensive investigation • Coordinate with intermediate districts to avoid duplication of services and to streamline delivery of services to students • Agree to spend funds from Subsection 2 by September 30, 2026, or request a 1-year extension on your expense report Is this a competitive grant? Subsection 2 of this grant is non-competitive with funding amounts based on a per-pupil formula. An opt-in form will need to be submitted to receive funds, and funding will be determined on a per-pupil basis. Subsections 4 and 5 are competitive and applications are required to be considered for funding. 2 Is coordination between the district and Intermediate School District (ISD) required? Districts receiving funds under this section must coordinate with their ISD to avoid duplication of services and to streamline delivery of services to students. Which students can be served with these funds? Only K-12 students can be served with 31aa funds, early childhood and adult education programs are not included. Applying How will information about this funding stream be communicated to the field? Communication regarding this funding stream will be communicated through the MDE Grants Repository and announced in the “MDE Grants Spotlight” section of the Thursday Communication sent by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). To sign up for updates from MDE, or to access your subscriber preferences, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIMDE/subscribers/new?preferences=true. Information can also be found on the MDE School Health and Safety website. Can private schools apply? Non-public schools are eligible for all three subsections of this funding. Prior to opting in, or applying for funding, non-public schools will need to have an approved account within GEMS/MARS and NexSys. The process for gaining that approval can be found on the GEMS/MARS and NexSys websites. Non-public schools also need to ensure that they are registered in SIGMA for payment and that their annual Nonpublic School Membership Report (NSRM) required registration is complete. Is there a deadline for districts to submit their application? There will be a deadline of mid-November 2025 to opt-in to subsection 2 funding. Deadlines for subsections 4 and 5 applications that will be housed in NexSys will be determined after the application process is set. MDE anticipates that the applications for subsections 4 and 5 will be available in February or March of 2026. What is the process for reviewing submitted applications? MDE will review submitted opt-in forms and applications to ensure they meet the requirements of the legislative language. If MDE sees something in either the opt-in form or application that does not meet legislative intent, MDE may ask for further clarification or adjustments and applicants will be notified to make those modifications. Can districts contract through a third party with these funds? Yes. How long do districts have to expend the funds? Districts have the fiscal year that the funds are awarded under Subsection 2. Districts can request an additional fiscal year through the legislatively required expense report due July 1, 2026. Subsections 4 and 5 are due July 1, 2026, or unexpended funds can automatically be carried forward to 9/30/2027. 3 A district is considering using these funds along with other funding sources to braid fund (split fund) initiatives. Is this allowable? Yes, however, these funds cannot supplant funds that are currently in use, they can only supplement. Does MDE expect to fully fund all entities that opt-in to receive Subsection 2 funds? All entities that opt-in to receive Subsection 2 funds and meet all requirements will be awarded funding, but MDE cannot anticipate the number of districts that will opt-in to Subsection 2. Per the legislation, the funding for Subsection 2 will be per-pupil. Exact awards will not be known until after the opt-in deadline passes. Funds from Subsection 2 will be disbursed prior to December 31, 2025, as legislatively required. Subsections 4 and 5 will be awarded through a competitive grant process. Funds will be disbursed based on the application submitted, but all applications may not be funded. How should applicants budget for Subsections 4 and 5 in the NexSys application? Applications should include what future funding stream will be used, whether that funding is state or federal, how much of that funding is received annually, and include a plan for maintaining the position for the same amount of time that this funding allowed. Disbursement of Funds Is there a deadline to award districts the money if they meet the application standards? Funds from Subsection 2 will be disbursed by December 31, 2025, as legislated. Funds from Subsections 4 and 5 will be disbursed after the application process is completed. How will funds be disbursed? Funds will be disbursed through the State Aid Management System (SAMS) except for nonpublic schools, where the funds will be dispersed through the SIGMA system via check or direct deposit. Non-public schools must be registered in SIGMA to receive funding. How do non-public schools register in SIGMA? Please check with your business office if you do not know your registration status. If your organization needs to register in SIGMA, go to Michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. If you have questions about registering and or verifying if your information in SIGMA is accurate, please contact the State of Michigan (SIGMA VSS) Support Center at SIGMA-Vendor@Michigan.gov or by calling 517-284-0550. The State of Michigan SIGMA VSS Support Center office hours are 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM EST, Monday - Friday. Allowable Expenses What mental health initiatives can funds be spent on? Allowable mental health expenditures of funds under Section 31aa include: • Hiring or contracting for support staff including: o Psychologists o Social workers o Counselors 4 o Nurses o Community Health Workers o Marriage and Family Therapists • Purchasing and implementing mental health screening tools • Purchasing a statewide, integrated technology platform to streamline behavioral health documentation and care coordination • Providing school-based mental health personnel access to consultation with behavioral health clinicians to respond to complex student mental health needs • Purchasing and implementing an online behavioral health tool led by licensed behavioral health professionals • Hiring or contracting a behavioral health coordinator • Evidence-based trainings to support mental health • Costs associated with collaboration between school employees, families, and community partners to address the academic, behavioral, and social needs of all students through collaborative partnerships, resource coordination, data collection, and data sharing • Costs associated with conducting a systemic school mental health needs assessment and resource mapping that identifies programmatic and systemic needs and helps staff determine priorities and create action plans What school safety initiatives can funds be spent on? • Coordination with local law enforcement • Training for school staff on threat assessment • Training for school staff and students on threat response • Training for school staff on crisis communication • Safety infrastructure including, but not limited to: o Cameras o Door blocks o Hardened vestibules o Window screening o Technology to operate buzzer systems o Firearm detection software that integrates into existing security cameras to detect and alert school personnel and first responders to visible firearms on property • Age-appropriate training for students and families on responsible firearm ownership, including safe handling and safe storage • School resource officers and safety dogs. School resource officers must be properly licensed and in good standing with the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, and must be in compliance with all applicable laws o Dogs cannot be purchased, only contracted • Student Safety Management System, the information technology platform and related services to improve student safety by mitigating cyberbullying, school violence, human trafficking, and self-harm that supports students from grades K to 12 5 • A secure platform administered by the department of state police, for school officials, emergency responders, and emergency management coordinators to house all school safety-related items, including but not limited to: o EOP templates o EOP guidance o Reference documents o Security assessments • Emergency infrastructure needs to respond to an immediate threat to the health or safety of students and staff in the district, intermediate district, nonpublic school, or the Michigan School for the Deaf. These funds shall not be expended for this purpose without first obtaining approval from the department. o Requests to use funds in this manner must be emailed to MDE31aa@Michigan.gov • A contract with a vendor for a comprehensive safety and security assessment and security event assessment • An emergency response system • Implementing cell phone free school policies o “Cell phone free school policy” means a policy that prohibits students from accessing or using a personal communication device capable of telecommunication or digital communication during instructional time, as determined by the school Are there restrictions on what funds can be used for? Allowable expenses, outlined in the legislation, are listed above. If there are additional questions about allowable expenses for these funds, please submit those questions to MDE31aa@Michigan.gov. Are there expenses that are not allowed? The following expenses are not allowed under Section 31aa funding. If there are questions about allowability of an expense, please direct questions to MDE-31aa@Michigan.gov. • Employee assistance programs • Gym memberships • Playgrounds including equipment, landscaping and materials • Renovation costs not associated with safety of students • Deans of Students • Direct purchase of safety dogs—Per legislation: safety dogs must be contracted by a law enforcement agency of the state, a local unit of government, or a district/intermediate district. It should be trained in detection of firearms, explosives, narcotics, or vape substances. • Direct purchase or contracting for therapy animals and supplies/training associated with • Hall monitors • Classroom teachers • Security personnel that do not fall under the definition of SRO • Student or staff branded items, including but not limited to shirts, toys, cup/mugs, pens, etc. 6 • Food for events, snack carts, prizes, staff rooms, etc. • Mental health supplies not associated with resource mapping and needs assessments Can funds be used for infrastructure? Funds can only be used to respond to emergency infrastructure needs that pose an immediate threat to the health or safety of students and staff. Emergency infrastructure needs must be approved by MDE prior to spending the funds. Can these funds be used for personnel? Funds can be used to hire or contract mental health support staff, including, but not limited to, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nurses. Funds can also be used to hire or contract school resource officers. Can these funds be used to replace other funding streams to fund an already established position? These funds CANNOT be used to supplant funding used for current positions. (i.e. this funding cannot be used to switch providers from 31n to 31aa funding streams) Further Information Further information can be found at: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/health-safety/topics/school-safety or https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/health-safety/mental-health Questions should be directed to: MDE-31aa@Michigan.gov

Toolkit Messaging for Districts that ACCEPT 31aa Funds Talking Points

● We chose to accept 31aa funds because they are essential to supporting our ongoing work in student mental health and school safety. ● We are committed to both transparency and prevention and will continue to advocate for clearer definitions and stronger protections for schools.

● While we have concerns about the new language, we cannot allow those concerns to limit the supports our students and staff depend on.

● Our district will continue to partner with state leaders to ensure future versions of this funding truly align with prevention and local control. ● Our focus is on ensuring our schools and students are safe and get the mental health supports they deserve – not waiving rights after a tragedy occurs. We want to be proactive.

Toolkit Messaging for Districts that DECLINE 31aa Funds Talking Points

● Our district’s decision not to accept 31aa funds was not taken lightly. We did so to protect our district’s legal integrity and our employees’ rights, and to uphold local control over school safety decisions.

● The new requirement raises serious concerns about vague definitions, potential legal exposure, and the shift away from prevention-focused funding. Our teachers and support staff deserve our unquestioned support.

● We remain deeply committed to school safety and mental health and will continue to invest in these priorities using local and alternative funding sources.

● Our priority is to ensure that every safety decision we make is responsible, transparent, and protects our community.

● Our focus is on ensuring our schools and students are safe and get the mental health supports they deserve – not waiving rights after a tragedy occurs. We want to be proactive.

31aa & Investigation Compliance Language MASA Messaging Toolkit Background

● The 31aa line item was first introduced in the 2022-23 Michigan School Aid budget as a new, dedicated funding source to help schools strengthen student mental health and safety supports.

● From the outset, the intent was to give school districts broad local flexibility to determine how best to use the funds, whether to hire mental health professionals, implement safety initiatives, or develop prevention programs tailored to community needs.

● Over successive budget cycles, however, that flexibility has been gradually reduced: the number of eligible uses has been constrained, oversight and opt-in requirements increased, and per-pupil allocations and ongoing status have become less certain.

● The FY 2025 budget, which was not passed until the end of September, retained the 31aa line item but added a new requirement that districts accepting these funds must comply with state

required investigation clauses and broadly waive privileges.

● This marks another shift away from prevention and local control toward reactive, state-directed mandates, creating both operational and legal concerns for districts striving to keep students and staff safe.

● Since the new language took effect, districts have received differing legal and insurance guidance on how to interpret and respond to the requirement. This inconsistency has created significant uncertainty and pressure for district leaders who must make funding decisions by late November, without clear or unified direction from the state.

● At a time when public trust in safety and mental-health systems depends on stability and clarity, the state’s recent changes to Section 31aa have introduced uncertainty instead of support. Schools need predictable, prevention-driven funding, not vague requirements that compromise transparency and accountability. Key Concerns Shift Away from Prevention:

● The new language focuses on response after a tragedy, rather than prevention.

● Schools’ primary goal is to prevent mass casualty events, not just respond to them.

● This requirement diverts attention and resources away from mental health, early intervention, and safety infrastructure improvements. Loss of Local Control:

● 31aa was designed as a flexible, locally driven funding source.

● This new provision undermines local decision-making and inserts unclear state-level oversight into sensitive local matters. Ambiguity and Legal Risk:

● The legislation provides no definition of what constitutes a “mass casualty event.”

● Without clear parameters, school districts face uncertainty about what could trigger a state investigation.

● Participation could also compromise governmental immunity or expose districts and employees to unintended legal risks.

● The language as written also does not limit the waiver to a single fiscal year and could be construed as a waiver of the school’s rights in perpetuity. Public Perception Challenge:

● Districts are put in a no-win position: o Accept the funding and agree to uncertain and problematic investigative terms, or o Decline the funding and risk appearing non-transparent or unconcerned about safety. o Clear communication will be essential to explain that any decision, accepting or declining, is rooted in student safety, transparency, and responsible governance. Additional Context

● Need State-Level Clarification: The absence of official guidance or uniform interpretation at the state-level has placed the burden on local school officials to navigate complex legal and liability questions.

● Pressure and Perception: Many districts feel caught between legal caution and public expectation. Accepting the funds may carry unknown legal risk, while declining them can raise questions from the public about transparency or commitment to safety.

● Deadline and Urgency: Districts face a decision deadline in late November, heightening the need for timely and consistent messaging support. The short timeline limits opportunities for full legal review or board discussion, making transparent communication with stakeholders even more critical.

• Resolution if Opting into the 31aa Funding
• Sex Education Advisory Counsel 1st Reading for class beginning 2nd Semester. This would then be approved at the December Regular Meeting