Grant Public Schools board waives privilege to release two special-education investigation reports

The Grant Public Schools Board of Education on March 11 adopted a resolution waiving attorney-client privilege for two internal reports on special-education funding and operations so the documents can be shared with NC RESA, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and become public record subject to FOIA.

Interim Superintendent Kevin Aiken, summarizing the item, said the reports include an initial Clark Hill PLC investigation presented in closed session on Jan. 26, 2024, and a follow-up memo completed Feb. 26, 2024. "Waiving such privilege will allow us to share these reports with NC RESA and it will also make them public record that is subject to FOIA," Aiken said.

Board members asked whether the state will take a wider look. Aiken said MDE investigators will arrive March 20 to conduct a physical audit of special-education records, including select individual IEPs, accommodation logs and grant files dating back to Aug. 1, 2022. He said the agency is likely to issue corrective-action guidance and could identify any financial obligations once its review concludes.

During public comment, Blake Hall Curtis, a high-school junior, read a statement criticizing prior board remarks about LGBTQ topics and warned they could create a hostile environment for students. "A statement was made by a board member ... that conversations regarding preference or orientation or anything pertaining to it ... have no place in a school with minor children," Blake said, calling for protections for all students.

Board president (presiding officer) said earlier that the district's legal team engaged an outside attorney to conduct the internal review after concerning material was raised and that the board initiated the investigation. "I initiated the investigation," the president said during discussion, noting the district first pursued an internal review before involving external authorities.

The resolution passed and the reports may be requested under FOIA. Board members and speakers urged transparency while acknowledging that certain student-level information remains protected by federal and state privacy laws.