Students push no‑idling policy; parents raise safety, class-size and library-content concerns

Public comment at the Forest Hills board meeting brought a mix of student environmental proposals and parental concerns about safety, staffing and library materials.

Students who monitored school pickup lines asked the board to adopt a no‑idling policy ahead of a pending state bill. One student speaker said their class recorded 30–50 cars per day idling up to 20 minutes and reported an observed 75% idling rate; they asked the district to act now to reduce air pollution at school sites. The students said they had worked with a local organization and lawmakers to draft a bill now with lawyers in Lansing and requested district adoption of no‑idling practices before the bill is passed.

A parent asked for greater transparency after an employee misconduct investigation. The commenter said the district had placed the employee on administrative leave and later terminated employment (effective 03/20/2024) but that parents still sought clearer communication and follow-up describing what the district had changed in hiring or safety procedures.

A Thornapple Elementary parent asked for follow-up on a proposed increase in elementary classroom sizes—from roughly 21–22 to 29 students—citing national averages and research and asking how the district will ensure students do not fall behind.

Another commenter, Robin Baggett of Cascade Township, urged individual board members to explain their personal views (by email) about the book Push and asked whether the district will review library holdings in light of a recent employee arrest and an FBI investigation mentioned in public comment.

The board closed public comments and said appropriate district representatives would follow up with individuals who requested additional information.