At a special meeting of the Gull Lake Board of Education on Tuesday, parents and community members voiced growing concern over an alleged incident involving the high school varsity football team, a case that has drawn the attention of Michigan State Police.
Community Concerns Surface
Several parents took the opportunity to call for greater communication from the district, urging officials to provide reassurance about student safety as the investigation proceeds.
Carole Mendez, president of the Gull Lake Board of Education, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that the board is taking the concerns of families seriously while the inquiry unfolds.
Investigation Status
Michigan State Police have confirmed that their investigation will be forwarded to the MSP Hart Post and subsequently to the Oceana County Prosecutor’s Office for review, though no further updates have been released at this time.
Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon has indicated that his office has not yet received the investigative materials, and therefore cannot yet characterize the incident as an assault or any other specific crime.
Meanwhile, varsity football coach Jalon Simpson is currently on paid, non‑disciplinary administrative leave, a status that the district has not clarified further regarding its impact on the upcoming season.
The district has declined to outline a contingency plan should the investigation remain open when football practice resumes, leaving many families uncertain about the upcoming season.