Heise Calls for Support on Superintendent, Synthetic Drug Bills

Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth) called for support from school board members and administrators Tuesday on bills he is co-sponsoring that would ease requirements for superintendent candidates and tackle the availability of synthetic drugs such as Spice and K-2.

Heise spoke Tuesday at a Plymouth-Canton Board of Education meeting at the in Plymouth.

House Bill 5238, Heise said, would open the field of possible candidates for school district superintendent jobs by eliminating requirements mandating administrator certification from the state. Districts still could choose to hire according to those standards, but would be free to explore candidates from, he said, "outside of the normal pool."

Board member Mike Maloney praised the bill for the flexibility it grants districts looking to hire a new superintendent.

House Bill 789, he said, would identify synthetic drugs, often sold by retailers as "Spice" and other names, as the substances hit the market.

"Nobody is immune to this," he said of the synthetic drug problem. He said the problem tends to affect wealthier districts and suburban areas.

School Board President John Barrett praised Heise's involvement with House Bill 789, noting the dangers of the substance being used by students.

Board member Mark Horvath also praised Heise for his support of House Bill 251, which would allow students with Down Syndrome to be exempt from Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) age limitations, which currently cap the age for participants at 19.

"For a very small number of students, this is a big deal," Horvath said, drawing applause from audience members.