GRANT, Mich. — Recall petitions have been submitted against four Grant Public Schools Board of Education members for their votes on a controversial health center.
Richard Vance, Sabrina Veltkamp-Blok, Rachel Gort, and Ken Thorne are subject to the filed recall language, which will be considered at a meeting this week.
In June, the members voted to issue a 90-day termination letter and end its partnership with Family Health Care, who operates a clinic within the district’s middle school. It’s unclear why they decided to do so, but some families have speculated that it’s because of a mural within the health center that features LGBTQ+ imagery and other misinformation about the care given.
That vote is listed as the reason for the members’ recall petitions.
READ MORE: Grant families, faculty furious after school board votes to close health center
The recall language was approved at a clarity hearing Tuesday morning. The purpose of a clarity hearing is to determine if the recall petition language is factual and of sufficient clarity before the petition is circulated
Joshua Stein, who lives in Grant, says he submitted the recall language because the decision broke people’s confidence.
“I didn't want to be a lone actor, creating a potential division in the community, so I sought some guidance from other community members,” said Stein. “I found a phone number online and cold-called the stranger, which was way out of my comfort zone because I'm kind of introverted. But through that phone call, I was able to make connections with other community members and we began discussions. Those discussions suggested that the school board's lost the trust of the community and there's concern that the school board is not acting in the best interest of the children.”
With the recall language approved, the Newaygo County Clerk’s Office says organizers have to gather 1,091 signatures within a 60-day period to get it onto the ballot. Should the required number of signatures be gathered within the allotted time period, the recall elections would take place at the next regularly scheduled election in May or November.
Vance, Veltkamp-Blok, Gort, and Thorne have not responded to an email requesting comment from FOX 17.
Separately, a regularly scheduled board meeting was held Monday evening. Members announced the district has held negotiations with Family Health Care about keeping the clinic open.
READ MORE: Grant Public Schools approves resolution to consider negotiations with Family Health Care
Julie Tatko, the president and CEO of Family Health Care, told FOX 17 a meeting took place two weeks ago, and the district laid out revisions they want made to their contract. No additional meetings have been scheduled.
She believes some of the suggestions could greatly improve services, like increased security, but notes other asks need to comply with the program’s legal requirements through the state. Family Health Care declined to specify what those requests entailed.
Tatko added they have requested Grant Public Schools finalize an agreement by the next school board meeting, which is scheduled for September 11, but says officials did not commit to a timeline. Family Health Care’s contract with the district expires October 6.
“I’m confident that we can provide responses in a timely manner that can move this forward,” said Tatko. “I do have concerns about the board’s ability to move this forward in a timely way, however, their attorney has indicated that’s the direction that they’re moving.”
The petitions can be found below:
