Saline School Board Opposes "Loophole" Language In Senate Bullying Bill

The Board of Education unanimously approved a in opposition to a controversial state senate bill that was intended to help protect students from bullying in schools.

SB 137 is also known as “Matt’s Safe School Law,” named after teenager Matt Epling, who committed suicide after being hazed because of his sexual orientation.  However, the  anti-bullying law contains a section that states that it does not abridge First Amendment free speech rights or prevent a statement of “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction” of a school employee, school volunteer pupil, or pupil’s parent or guardian. Republicans in the senate say the language is meant to protect free speech. Critics, including Matt Epling’s father, Kevin, have charged the language amounts to a loophole. State Senator Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, blasted the bill from the Senate floor.

“After the way you have gutted it [the bill], it wouldn’t have done a damn thing to save Matt,” Whitmer said.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Saline school board added its voice of opposition to the bill. Trustee Lisa Slawson drafted the resolution.

“This parent gives bullies carte blanche to bully. That is wrong. This legislation, as it is written, would undermine everything that (assistant superintendent) Steve Laatsch, (superintendent) Graden and everyone else have work on, including important programs such as No Place for Hate,” Slawson said. “We have to take stand and say that bullying is wrong in every way, shape and form.”

The board voted 7-0 to pass the resolution.

Earlier in the meeting, the Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht, of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, addressed the board. After thanking the board for the resolution, she condemned other clergy for their role the senate’s adding of the religious language.

“The clergy have been grossly neglectful and perhaps complicit and even responsible for this bill. I am standing today speaking for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, which does not approve of hate,” Hansknecht said. “Hate will not be tolerated. This is me not being silent.”

Saline High School student Emma Upham thanked the board for passing the resolution.

“As a student, I wanted to thank you for keeping your commitment to address the issues of bullying and harassment,” Upham said.

In an email to district residents Wednesday night, Graden said he joined the board in its staunch opposition to the senate bill.

"This recent change in the legislative language by the Michigan Senate is not consistent with our current language.  To be clear, Saline Area Schools does not condone bullying for any reason," Graden wrote.

Early indications are that the state House may alter the language.

At Monday’s Saline City Council meeting, Councillor Dean Girbach urged residents to contact State Rep. Mark Ouimet and voice opposition to the bullying law. He said there was no need for a “loophole” in the legislation.

“A religious person would never need to bully someone, so why include it in the document?