The three-year anniversary of the Oxford High School shooting served as a solemn backdrop to legislative action aimed at transforming school safety in Michigan. Four lives were lost in that tragic event, and now lawmakers are working to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the Michigan House Education Committee advanced a package of five bills designed to tighten emergency protocols, improve mental health resources, and create clear guidelines for handling threats within schools.
The Oxford High School shooting revealed deep cracks in the systems meant to protect students. A third-party report showed that the school had a threat assessment policy, but it was not effectively implemented. This failure, according to Rep. Kelly Breen, a Democrat from Novi and co-sponsor of the legislation, directly contributed to the devastating loss of life. During a committee hearing, Breen stated, “Oxford had a threat assessment policy. It was not implemented, and we’ve seen the horrible results of that.”
While the Oxford High School shooting didn’t happen in Detroit Public Schools, its impact reverberates far beyond one district. This is not just their tragedy—it’s ours. Black communities know all too well the toll of systemic failures, and the loss of young lives anywhere demands action everywhere. We cannot wait for a similar tragedy to strike our own schools to demand the protections our children deserve. This moment calls for bold, preventative measures that ensure no family, no school, no community endures this kind of pain again. Protecting our kids isn’t optional—it’s our responsibility.
The proposed legislation seeks to ensure that such policies don’t just exist but are actionable and enforced. These bills would require all Michigan public schools to establish behavioral threat assessment and management teams. These teams would identify students showing signs of distress or concerning behavior, with the aim of providing early intervention. Plans would be put in place to support these students before situations escalate.
The package also includes measures to create a standardized response to emergencies. The Michigan State Police (MSP) would develop a unified terminology system for use during school crises, reducing confusion and ensuring that everyone involved understands what to do. Schools across the state would be required to adopt this terminology and undergo training on how to use it effectively.
Additionally, the Michigan Office of School Safety would be responsible for notifying district emergency managers and local law enforcement about potential threats. These notifications would need to happen within 24 hours, ensuring swift action to mitigate risks. Another critical aspect of the bills is the creation of a permanent School Safety and Mental Health Commission within the Michigan Department of Education. Unlike the existing commission, which primarily addresses physical security, the new body would integrate mental health and educational expertise into its approach.
Not everyone on the House Education Committee supported these measures. Rep. Brad Paquette, a Republican from Niles, voted against two of the bills related to creating standardized terminology for emergency responses. He abstained from voting on the other bills. Other dissenting votes came from Rep. Dylan Wegela, a Democrat from Garden City, and Republicans Rep. Gregory Markkanen of Hancock and Rep. Gina Johnsen of Odessa, who opposed measures related to behavioral threat assessment teams and changes to the safety commission’s membership.
Johnsen expressed concern over the absence of clergy in the definition of counselors allowed to serve on private school threat assessment teams. “This raises important questions about inclusivity in the process,” she noted during the committee meeting. Meanwhile, Rep. Pauline Wendzel, a Republican from Bainbridge Township, abstained from voting on the bill concerning behavioral threat assessments altogether.
The package of bills has been described as bipartisan, with some Republican support evident in committee discussions. Still, two Republican-sponsored bills from the original package were not considered during the session, signaling potential roadblocks ahead. The path to enacting these bills is not guaranteed, as they must still pass the full House and Senate before becoming law. Time is also a critical factor. Democrats have emphasized that passing this legislation is a top priority before the year ends and their control of the state government shifts.
Survivors of gun violence and advocates have been vocal in their support for these measures. Ahead of last week’s committee meeting, they called on legislators to act with urgency. Earlier this year, the committee heard from school mental health professionals, safety experts, and education leaders, all of whom underscored the life-saving potential of this legislation.
One of the bills focuses on increasing oversight of threat assessment processes, addressing the systemic failures identified in the Oxford report. These reforms aim to ensure that policies are not only in place but are actively used to prevent harm. Training for school staff and law enforcement on how to properly implement these assessments is a cornerstone of the proposed changes.
Another significant aspect of the bills is the education of school communities about warning signs that someone may pose a threat. This measure reflects an understanding that preventing violence requires a collective effort, involving not just school officials but students, parents, and community members.
The proposed legislation has sparked debate about the balance between addressing immediate physical security threats and investing in mental health resources. While the permanent School Safety and Mental Health Commission would focus on integrating these elements, some lawmakers remain skeptical of how effectively the commission will operate. Rep. Kelly Breen and other proponents of the legislation argue that prioritizing mental health is essential to preventing violence.
These measures are a response to the cries for change that followed the Oxford tragedy and countless other incidents of school violence across the nation. For many, the bills represent a necessary step toward accountability and action. For others, concerns about implementation, oversight, and inclusion linger. The tension between urgency and thoroughness will continue to shape the debate as the legislation moves forward.
Lawmakers are tasked with navigating a complex web of priorities, from immediate safety measures to long-term solutions rooted in mental health support. As the process unfolds, the families of Oxford and countless other communities impacted by school violence are watching closely. The stakes are high, and the cost of inaction is far greater than any legislative hurdle.
This package of bills represents an opportunity to redefine what safety looks like in Michigan schools. It challenges policymakers, educators, and communities to address not just the symptoms of violence but its root causes. The road ahead may be uncertain, but the message from advocates and survivors is clear: action is overdue, and lives are on the line. The question now is whether lawmakers will rise to the occasion and deliver the comprehensive solutions that Michigan’s students deserve.
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