The Grand Haven Area Public School (GHAPS) board is in the process of removing policy 2410 which is related to abortion. It appears that once this change goes through, school personnel will be allowed to refer and assist students with obtaining abortions.
“2410 - Prohibition of Referral or Assistance
In accordance with Michigan statute, any school official, member of the Board of Education, or employee of the Board who is not the parent or the legal guardian of the student involved is prohibited from referring a student for an abortion or assisting a student in obtaining an abortion. Any school official, member of the Board, or employee of the Board who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action.
Any alleged violation of this policy shall be reported to the Superintendent, who shall follow the procedures set out in Policy 1439, Policy 3139, Policy 4139 or the current negotiated bargaining agreement, whichever is applicable, to investigate the allegation. If the allegation relates to a school official, member of the Board, or employee of the Board to whom Policy 1439, Policy 3139, Policy 4139 or a current negotiated bargaining agreement does not apply, the Superintendent shall conduct an investigation, as appropriate to the situation, including providing the person with reasonable notice and the opportunity to respond. All disciplinary measures available under Board Policy 1439, Policy 3139 or Policy 4139 may be utilized, as appropriate, if the Superintendent determines that a violation of this policy occurred.“
According to Michigan Law, 380.11a, school boards shall adopt bylaws which can be changed at public meetings by actions of the board. According to GHAPS Board Policy po0131.1 Bylaws and Policies, bylaws and policies “may be adopted, amended, and repealed at any meeting of the Board, provided the proposed adoption, amendment, or repeal shall have been proposed at a previous Board meeting and, once proposed, shall have remained on the agenda of each succeeding Board meeting until approved or rejected.”
To be compliant with the law, board policy changes must be made in front of the public. While GHAPS strives to comply with the law, they are not being overly transparent. Rather than discuss the policy change or read it in its entirety, when proposing this policy change for the first time in the forum of a public board of education meeting, the board merely read the policy number and title and explained that the change is recommended by the Neola organization because it is in compliance with Michigan Law.
GHAPS policy changes require three separate “readings” before the board votes. The policy change was introduced during the August 19, 2024, meeting and the first “reading” was completed. The board will likely “read” the change again on September 16, 2024, during their board meeting at the Education Service Center, and then vote to adopt the policy change at the October 18th board retreat.
With school districts dabbling in providing mental health and medical services, this policy change is doubly concerning. Parents at Zeeland Public Schools received a communication informing them of a Telemedicine Clinic where their children can receive “therapy/counseling services without leaving the school.” While this service “does not prescribe medication or provide pregnancy termination counseling,” it does not appear that another service would be prohibited in doing so.
Policy 2410 was created to protect parental rights and prevent intrusion of the state into family affairs. Just because the law changed does not mean that GHAPS should remove this protection as keeping the policy in place does not violate the law.