Kingsley will apply for mental-health funds but decline student-safety funding

What happened

The board directed the superintendent to apply for the Section 31aa mental-health grant, but said the action does not accept Section 31aa student-safety funding. The district said it was declining the safety funding for now because its conditions could waive attorney-client or other applicable privileges.

Why it matters to families

The choice preserves the district's stated legal privileges but means Kingsley is not accepting the student-safety funds under this program at this time; the minutes do not specify the amount or how the grant would be used in schools.

The evidence

At its October 12, 2026 meeting, the board voted to direct Superintendent Rothwell to apply for the Section 31aa mental-health grant and explicitly stated that this did not constitute acceptance of Section 31aa student-safety funding. The finance committee report said the district was declining that safety funding to preserve privileges potentially subject to waiver under MCL 388.1631aa.

The source