[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6352680,"mediaKeyId","2224045-332bec38fc55e9fc8c36431a79d79414","parentId",2224045,"title","Board approves removing explicit ban on 'pajama pants' from middle school handbook after debate","audioSeconds",539,"startMs",1927000,"endMs",2466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2224045-332bec38fc55e9fc8c36431a79d79414&start=1927&end=2466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2224045-332bec38fc55e9fc8c36431a79d79414/thumbnail_1927000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6352680/Michigan/Board-approves-removing-explicit-ban-on-pajama-pants-from-middle-school-handbook-after-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352680-1e251dd35c28a920becb136e07343a5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096162&Signature=eqKfTtIja8-2X0N-21aGycUqoHbZ61t~LyYCq3M-IJPey8~rFhl8TjbET1M2kIpxs6yK3rkbiJwaBQ4mD0DOSX2U9en5ek4abCfC9nBZ6GvVZ4wO53Xy2NIo8rAxQcY0fsRBJ4D3C2n3dlYWUxudVLXplRkWGlMa~M-hXTNCpqgbOaj9Id70GcL~zva0E3nwPc5BJwbxFnG5BKLvIIGa5nnNrRTZuNijQJPAUbnAJ2AoCba06Ll-BmFkj9WitvqDq44YztCpYPdtpMUNpfJ1gDTsm9CE~w2AfnM4RJ1UiuYXGwoCTJmoUroAHVb71DPSigtg5JvlGQaOoi5EMuCh0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CS Public Schools","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Cedar Springs Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. 6 voted to adjust the middle school student handbook to remove an explicit prohibition on pajama pants, a change administrators said is intended to align the handbook with current practice and with high school language.

Board members heard from staff that middle school principals had been referring students for wearing pajama pants even when items met coverage and safety standards. Courtney McDonald asked the board to consider eliminating the explicit ban and to instead apply a standard that focuses on appropriateness and safety.

Scott, presenting the proposal, said the change would allow pajama pants in middle school so long as they meet existing safety and appropriateness standards. The board discussed related language on slippers and clothing that could be deemed unsafe; the superintendent and staff said safety exceptions remain covered elsewhere in the handbook.

During public comment, two residents urged the board to take a stricter approach. John Wood asked whether the district has a DEI office and said of DEI programs: “I perceive it to be a financial drain, and it's anything but diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Dwayne Greeter criticized the handbook change as lowering standards and warned of broader cultural effects, saying, “Let's use some moral values.” Both speakers identified themselves as members of the public; the board did not respond during the public comment period but said staff would follow up on concerns.

On the motion to approve the middle school handbook adjustment as presented, the roll-call vote recorded in the minutes shows multiple yes votes and one no (Trustee Lund). The minutes record the motion as carried.

Board members also noted the item could have been held for further review if the board had desired more time; trustees said the revision is intended to create consistency between building handbooks and to avoid referrals for clothing that otherwise meets coverage and safety requirements.

Ending: The approved handbook language will be implemented for the current school year; staff said they will continue to review handbook language and return to the board if more revisions are needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CSPS Board of Education Special Organizational Meeting 1.6.25","oneSentenceSummary","Cedar Springs trustees voted Jan. 6 to adjust the middle school handbook language to allow pajama pants if they are appropriate; the change passed despite at least one dissent and drew public comments criticizing dress standards and district enrollment trends.","taxTitle","Cedar Springs Public Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38810,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6352685,"Cedar Springs board elects officers, confirms organizational appointments",488,4000,492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2224045-332bec38fc55e9fc8c36431a79d79414&start=4&end=492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2224045-332bec38fc55e9fc8c36431a79d79414/thumbnail_4000.jpg","/articles/6352685/Michigan/Cedar-Springs-board-elects-officers-confirms-organizational-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6352685-6c91399d6640b98f07bef0dc2507d9f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096162&Signature=bczcNq7LQtDE1rw9y-8mF8q~BObdT61er2p8dCYGVzGhogIBqqElVS72TxEIKfVTcz963v~sEGOVtSJTOY8hTHLN7DPBL19i29whT0Bgv9tGSLkgLM00B2Ny~Cj~Exa4c0B6EBnLdlU6YCA4keaq9aC-W3ZaOiQbv0UJfpKvborh8vImm6RX2TiXYyYjg0Xpe-PyeWNca1Gh8XTddi-CcSzqKTDwSn452v3j6OOHTm0NO5u2Hb7BPT4bTlfuznoN6WH4ynYYUFbNRnOAeT0DI-jji2Ws9Zo5RGkZCZyYCN0AlA1dY4R5xSzj-JSy0Y95eecg0qWUbAFWjPnr9tkxXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cedar Springs Public Schools Board of Education at a special organizational meeting on Jan. 6 elected Heidi Reid as board president and approved routine organizational appointments, meeting dates and financial designees for the 2025–26 school year.

The actions set the board’s leadership and administrative authorities that will guide the district’s formal business for the coming year. The meeting also included approval of board banking depositories, signature authorizations and retention of the district’s auditor and legal counsel.

Trustee Bowser nominated Heidi Reid for president; Trustee Patton seconded the nomination. The board approved Reid as president on a 6–1 vote. The minutes record one nay vote. Matt Shoffner was nominated for vice president and was approved by roll call on a 6–1 vote. Theresa Slater was confirmed as secretary and Trent Gilmore as treasurer; the motions carried.

Board members approved the district’s regular meeting schedule (second Monday of each month, with workshops in October, February and June) and set a 6:15 p.m. start time for regular meetings. The board designated Kimmie McCarthy, assistant director of communications, as the person responsible for posting meeting notices and confirmed Barbara Cooper as recording secretary.

The board confirmed the district’s list of official depositories as Bank of New York Mellon, Huntington Bank, Independent Bank, the Michigan Liquid Asset Fund and U.S. Bank. Signature-card authorization was confirmed to remain with the superintendent, the chief executive officer for business and finance, and the board president, consistent with district banking practice as presented.

The board voted to retain the district financial auditor identified in board materials as Raydabel Kaffner and to continue using outside legal counsel listed in the packet (including Clark Hill and the other firm noted in the materials). The board approved the slate of organizational items (items a–g) as presented; the motion carried on the roll call recorded in the meeting minutes.

As part of the organizational procedure, board members recited the oath of office and were instructed to sign required forms for filing with the Kent County Board of Elections. President Reid said staff will notarize the documents and finish the required filings.

The meeting also included routine consent items, adoption of the meeting agenda and announcements about upcoming MASB trainings and a January work session. The board approved purchase of lapel microphones for members to improve sound in the meeting room; staff said the equipment was expected to arrive the following day.

Ending: The board adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m. The superintendent’s office will complete required filings with the county elections office and continue to brief the board on the district’s financial and administrative operations as scheduled.","At a special organizational meeting Jan. 6, the Cedar Springs Public Schools Board of Education elected its officers for 2025–26, set meeting dates and retained routine administrative designees including posting authority, depositories, auditor and legal counsel.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves removing explicit ban on 'pajama pants' from middle school handbook after debate

Cedar Springs board elects officers, confirms organizational appointments