A Michigan Court of Claims judge has upheld the constitutionality of the state’s mental health funding for K-12 schools, dismissing a lawsuit filed by more than 30 school agencies that challenged the conditions attached to the money.
Judge Sima Patel ruled on Dec. 17 that the state’s requirements—which tie $314 million in mental health and school safety funding to schools waiving certain privileges and agreeing to investigations in case of a mass casualty incident—do not violate the Michigan constitution. The funding was allocated when the state budget passed in the early hours of Oct. 3.
The Legal Challenge
A coalition of school districts and education organizations, including the Michigan Association of School Boards and the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, along with 189 individual school districts, argued that the legislation was unconstitutional. Their attorney, Scott Eldridge, contended during a Dec. 11 court hearing that the privilege waiver was too vague, particularly regarding undefined terms like “any privilege” and “mass casualty event.”
“The vagueness problem is that it is boundless, it is limitless, and we don’t have fair notice of what is legal and what is illegal,” Eldridge stated. He argued the requirement represented one branch of government intruding on judicial power.
Judge’s Reasoning
In her opinion, Patel wrote that the language is “plain and clear and not vague: ‘any privilege’ means exactly what it says.” She also determined that “the term ‘mass casualty event’ is not ambiguous or even vague.” Patel noted that “requiring a recipient to waive certain rights is a regular tool in appropriation legislation” and that the Legislature has authority to change or abolish common-law privileges.
An appeal was filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals on Dec. 19. The related federal lawsuit was placed on stay pending the state court’s decision.
Mixed District Response
Schools have taken varying approaches to the funding. Lansing School District Superintendent Ben Shuldiner reported that his board voted unanimously to accept the money with the state’s requirements, emphasizing the district’s commitment to mental health and safety. However, Okemos Public Schools Board President Tom Buffett stated the district would only accept funding if it could retain its rights, calling the downsides “hugely problematic.” Schools had the option to opt in during litigation and could rescind acceptance until Dec. 30.
The legislation stemmed from the 2021 attack by a student on Oxford High School in Oakland County.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/education/2025/12/24/michigan-mental-health-school-security-money-requirements-rules-constitutional-appealed/87716807007/