Paul Shoup, right, with Rep. VanderWall
LANSING — Mason County Eastern Superintendent Paul Shoup and State Rep. Curt VanderWall, R-Ludington, testified before the Michigan House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee this week in support of legislation that would give local school leaders greater flexibility to protect students traveling to and from campus throughout the school day.
Under current law, reduced school zone speed limits generally are enforced only 30 minutes before and after school begins and ends. VanderWall’s House Bill 5651 would allow school superintendents to extend school zone speed limit enforcement periods and designate up to five enforcement periods each day.
“Student travel doesn’t only happen at the beginning and end of the school day,” VanderWall said. “Students regularly leave campus for dual enrollment, career and technical education programs, field trips and other educational opportunities. Our laws need to reflect that reality and give local schools the ability to protect students whenever they’re crossing busy roads.”
The legislation comes in response to the death of 16-year-old Samantha Bateman, who was killed in a collision at the intersection of U.S. 10 and Main Street while leaving the Mason County Eastern High School campus to attend a dual-enrollment course at West Shore Community College in February 2025.
Shoup said students have questioned why the speed limit remains 50 mph in front of the school during the middle of the school day when students regularly travel off campus for various activities.
“I’m here today representing our grieving school community,” Shoup said. “The question we need to ask is: What can we do to make sure this never happens again? This bill is an important step in addressing those concerns.”
The proposal would allow schools to establish additional enforcement periods when students are leaving or returning to campus for activities such as dual-enrollment classes, career and technical education programs, university partnerships and field trips.
“Local school officials know their communities and understand when students are most at risk,” VanderWall said. “This bill puts decisions in the hands of the people closest to the situation. I urge the committee to take this opportunity to prevent future tragedies.”
Shoup said the school continues to grieve Samantha’s loss and that the Mason County Eastern community is dedicated to honoring her life by making roadways near the school safer for students.
“We must stop future tragedies before they happen,” Shoup said. “One moment can change an entire community forever. If reducing speeds saves just one life anywhere in Michigan, then this legislation deserves this body’s support.”
House Bill 5651 remains under consideration by the committee.
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