A Three Rivers Community Schools student has been expelled for up to 180 school days, following a unanimous vote of the Three Rivers Board of Education during a special meeting held Tuesday, September 24.
Prior to the 6-0 vote, the board was in closed session for nearly 50 minutes. Information about the vote comes from the board’s proposed minutes, which are on the district’s website but have not been approved as of Monday, September 30. The minutes are expected to be approved during the board’s next regular session meeting, scheduled for Monday, October 7.
The closed session on September 24 was permittable under section 8(b) of the Open Meetings Act for Student Discipline, according to the meeting agenda. It was followed by one item of business: discipline for a student referred to on the agenda and in the pending official minutes as “62597.”
“Motion by Member (Julia) Awe, with support by Member (Nichole) Cover, for the expulsion of student 62597 for 180 school days with possible reinstatement that may be requested after 150 school days provided the conditions of the return are met,” the minutes state. “After a roll call vote, 6-0, President (Erin) Nowak declared the motion as approved unanimously.”
The minutes do not state the expulsion is directly related to threats issued during the week of September 9. On September 11 and 12, Three Rivers Community Schools was threatened over social media. The district was one of several in Michigan that received threats in the week following a September 4 school shooting in Winder, Georgia.
No public comments were made prior to the September 24 closed session in Three Rivers. Watershed Voice represented the only member of the general public in attendance. Not being permitted to attend the closed session, the Watershed Voice reporter left prior to 6:48 p.m., when the board returned to an open session.
Board Vice President Melissa Bliss was absent from the September 24 meeting. Administrators who attended included Superintendent Nikki Nash, School Safety Coordinator Justin Holbrook, Middle School Principal Jason Bingaman, and Middle School Assistant Principal Anthony Wolbert.
Three days later, on Friday, September 27, Three Rivers Community Schools was one of 10 schools districts in St. Joseph County, Michigan, making a joint statement about the safety and security of students, staff, and the districts themselves.
“Our districts have building security and protocols in place,” the districts stated. “We strive to communicate information to families about safety-related situations as quickly as possible. Every school district is legally bound on what it can/ cannot share. As districts work through the investigative process into these matters, we provide as much information to our families as legally possible.
“We work collaboratively and directly with law enforcement when situations arise concerning the safety and security of our students. We also partner with appropriate agencies to help support students and staff when needed.
“Each district follows its specific student handbook regarding the consequences and outcomes of anyone involved with making a threat to our schools. Law enforcement is responsible for holding those accountable who violate state and local laws.”
Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
