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Students sue for review, changes after Oxford High shooting

Oxford Community Schools

Oxford Community Schools are being sued again, this time by a group of 20 families in the district seeking training, transparency, and accountability.

Families of victims of last November’s mass shooting are also suing the school and its administrators.

Attorney Scott Weidenfeller says this lawsuit is not seeking monetary damages… just changes to school policy and an independent inquiry.

“That includes third party investigation, to stop minimizing threats of violence, to communicate clearly with the parents for transparency," Weidenfeller said. “Also, for training for these school administrators and kids who are suicidal, for these students to be identified and for action to be taken.”

Oxford Schools officials blame the ongoing legal cases against the alleged shooter and his parents, and other litigation, for slowing their own probe.

In a court hearing, an Oxford High School counselor testified they felt the alleged shooter had suicidal thoughts and expressed that to the teen’s parents. However, when the parents refused to take him home, school officials say they lacked grounds to keep the student from returning to class.

The lawsuit is also demanding a 3rd party investigation into the lead-up to the mass shooting. Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office offered multiple times to investigate, but was rebuffed by the school district.

Alex McLenon is a Reporter with 101.9 WDET.