GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It's a question that has split the Caledonia School Board down the middle: what should the district do with a current policy that forbids teachers or district staff from talking to a student about abortion or assisting them in getting one?
There used to be a Michigan law that required school districts to carry this policy, that teachers could not discuss abortion with students, but it was repealed in 2023.
On May 20, the Caledonia School Board looked at two options. The first would be to eliminate the policy, the second would update it.
"I love our teachers, but this is a parent thing, man," said trustee John Brando. "That's not the option for teachers."
The board eventually voted 5-1 to table the discussion until a later date.
While there was a lot of discussion by board members on the two options, it was a comment by Treasurer Jason Saidoo that went viral.
"I think option one, rescinding the policy, it takes the politics out of it, and leaves the interests of the students into the hands of our teachers that can make the best decision for them."
And while pages like "Libs of TikTok" shared only that part of the meeting, getting more than a quarter million views, Saidoo later clarified his comments about parents rights.
"Ideally yes it's the parents right and law says it's the parents, and the law still currently says it's the parents."
Before it was repealed, all Michigan schools districts had to have a policy enforcing the ban on abortion discussion, or face disciplinary action.
Cooley Law Professor Michael McDaniel explained.
"It indicated that a school district would lose $100,000 each year if they didn't have a policy in place," said McDaniel.
"In essence, you're taking it at the out of the state's hands. The legislature has said no longer will the state impose this policy, we will leave it to the local school district."
We did reach out to the School board president and Superintendent for comment on the issue, who said they had none to provide.
However, reaching out to Jason Saidoo, he pointed 13 ON YOUR SIDE to a Facebook post he made, you can find that post below.
Warning, there is strong language used in the statement.
13 ON YOUR SIDE also reached out to Planned Parenthood of Michigan on the issue. Vice President of Education Cherie Seitz said in a statement:
“When schools provide age-appropriate and medically-accurate information to students on family planning, it helps ensure students learn the information they need to protect their health and make decisions about their future. Young people have better health outcomes when they have information about family planning that is medically-accurate, age-appropriate, and from trusted sources such as educators.
“Studies show that when young people are educated about family planning, they are more likely to postpone sexual activity, increase use of family planning methods if or when they become sexually active, and talk more openly about their decisions with a partner, parent, or health care provider.”
The school board could take this back up on June 17 at their next meeting....
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