Condition of closed schools

This is a response from Jack Kirksey to questions from residents about what the city can and can not do about the closed schools.


"Public Schools and/or K-12 schools are regulated by the State of Michigan. The construction, alteration or maintenance, or lack thereof, of schools has State laws stating who may inspect, who may not inspect and what procedures are to be followed.

After consultation with our Chief Assistant City Attorney, Cathryn White,and the Chief of the Building Division, Bureau of Construction Codes, State of Michigan, Larry Lehman, I have determined that we do not have the authority or mandate to enforce any building codes or maintenance issues on a public school building.

The State laws that govern this activity are Public Act 306 of 1937, as modified by Public Act 230 of 1972 and subsequently modified by Public Act628 of 2002.

The first action on a complaint should be directed to the Local Board of Education Office. In Livonia their address and telephone number is: 15125Farmington Road, Livonia MI, 48154; 734-744-2500.

If there is no response to that complaint a written complaint may be filed with the State of Michigan and they will do an investigation and follow-up. The written complaint should contain all of the pertinent details including the complaint address along with the name of the school and should be addressed to: State of Michigan, Bureau of Construction Codes, PO Box30254, Lansing, MI, 48909. A general telephone number (Not for complaints,as they must be in writing) is: 517-241-9302.

Regards,
Mayor Jack E. Kirksey
City of Livonia