LANSING, MI (WOWO) Hundreds of Michigan school districts have rejected state safety and mental health funding after agreeing to new conditions, according to reporting from Chalkbeat. In early December, 974 district and school leaders initially signed agreements requiring them to waive certain privil eges and allow state investigations if a mass casualty event, such as a school shooting, occurs. By the end of 2025, nearly half of those districts—462 in total—rescinded their agreements, citing unclear language and potential legal risks. About 70% of traditional school districts and 39% of charter schools that had initially signed backtracked. The $321 million in funding is available to traditional districts, intermediate districts, charter and private schools, and the Michigan School for the Deaf. Public schools receive $374 per student, and private schools $236 per student. The funding can be used for hiring mental health staff, training staff on threat assessment and crisis response, and safety upgrades such as cameras, door blocks, and window screening. Some districts, such as Woodhaven-Brownstown in Wayne County, rescinded the agreement over concerns about vague and overly broad legal requirements. Others, including Detroit Public Schools and Dearborn Public Schools, kept their agreements, citing the importance of the funding for mental health support and school safety. A Michigan judge upheld the language in the state budget in December, and plaintiffs have appealed to the Court of Appeals. Bob Wheaton, a Michigan Department of Education spokesman, confirmed that the remaining 512 districts will receive funding in February state aid payments. The post Legal Concerns Lead Michigan Districts to Reject State Safety Funds appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM. ...read more read less