LANSING — State lawmakers say the race to reform Michigan’s school code to qualify for millions in federal “Race to the Top” dollars should include passage of the controversial anti-bullying legislation called Matt’s Law.

“We are working on that,” said Sen. Glenn Anderson, a Westland Democrat. “To see if we can manage to work that into Race to the Top. There is an opportunity there I think that we can get something moving on the anti-bullying legislation by tying it to Race to the Top. And I think it’s a great way to do it.”

And Anderson could be right. According to the executive summary of the grant program, schools will be rewarded with additional points if their grant plan creates “school climates and cultures that remove obstacles to, and actively support, student engagement and achievement.”

Students from Fenton High School perform a scene from their original play, "Ticking." The play explores the issue of bullying and school violence and was presented in a special one night engagement for law makers in Lansing.

Students from Fenton High School perform a scene from their original play, "Ticking." The play explores the issue of bullying and school violence and was presented in a special one night engagement for law makers in Lansing. Photo by Todd Heywood/Michigan Messenger.

Anderson discussed the issue following a performance of the new play “Ticking” by Fenton High School students. Anderson and other lawmakers brought the play to Lansing for a special engagement for other lawmakers. The play explores the issue of bullying through the eyes of two bullied students. The Fenton students created the play through research on the 1998 shootings at Colorado’s Columbine High School and Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark., and the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech. They then integrated their research with their own real life experiences and observations of bullying in their school’s hallways.

Rep. Tom Pearce, a Rockford Republican, said he would support a move by lawmakers to push antibullying legislation as part of the comprehensive education reforms being undertaken at the Capitol.

“No question,” Pearce said. Although he did place a caveat on his statement regarding his concerns with state’s rights, and “selling” those rights for grant money.

Also in attendance at the special production was Sen. John Gleason. The Flushing Democrat said he was “angry” the legislation had not passed the legislature yet.

“I think there has been a lot of reasons [why the bill has not passed], most of them irresponsible and most self-serving because certain irresponsible groups, they will pressure senators and representatives not to move on this legislation,” Gleason said. “I also have been approached by what I think are fearmongers and people that think society will be lessened if we institute laws that keep people form hurting people.”

Asked who specifically he was referring to, Gleason replied, “I am singling out Gary Glenn, personally.”

Glenn is the president of the American Family Association of Michigan. In an e-mail response, Glenn said Gleason has sought support from AFA Michigan in the past and had promised not to support legislation with the “sociopolitical euphemism” of sexual orientation. But Gleason became a sponsor of Anderson’s bullying legislation, which specifically references sexual orientation. Glenn says Gleason declined to remove his name from sponsorship.

As to Gleason’s attacks on AFA and Glenn?

“It is always gratifying and encouraging when a public official singles out AFA-Michigan for our effectiveness at blocking homosexual activists’ political agenda, so assuming you have accurately reported his comments, we’re grateful to Sen. Gleason for that acknowledgement. Some of the most fervent testimonials to our effectiveness come from those who aren’t happy about that effectiveness. And it’s always a good thing when a politician who says one thing to one group of people and something else to others is finally flushed out and shows his true colors in public.”

Glenn and the AFA oppose passage of anti-bullying legislation which includes enumeration. Enumeration means a specific listing of protected groups, including, among others, race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity — as opposed to a bill that just addresses bullying in a general way.

Enumeration has been a major stumbling block in garnering Republican support for the legislation. Pearce said he was worried about enumeration as well.

“I am fearful of other agendas being a part of it rather than just dealing with the bullying,” said the representative. “If it was just dealing with the bullying, then I am there.”

Sen. Ron Jelinek, a Republican from Three Oaks Township, said he is trying to push his legislation to ban bullying, but had not considered the idea of tying it to Race to the Top funding.

“It might be something that is useful for that purpose,” Jelinek said.

While Anderson’s bill continues gasp for life in the GOP-controlled Senate, Jelinek said his version of the bill, which does not include enumeration, is moving. It is currently sitting in the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Holland Republican Wayne Kuipers.

“[Kuipers] has asked me repeatedly are you ready? Are you ready? He is ready to move it,” Jelinek said. “My problem is I want to get it tweaked to the point that we have the votes to get it passed. So we are working on that. And we do talk about it a lot. And one of these times we are going to get it tweaked to the point that we say ok it’s ready, let’s go.”

One of the “tweaks” Jelinek said was being worked on was “making sure schools don’t bear a liability” for having the policy. He was unaware that Hudson Area Schools in Lenawee County was currently being sued by the parents of a student who alleged bullying.

“Personally I think this subject is the same place another subject was a few years ago when I was new and it is sexual harassment. One time it was acceptable. Now nobody dares do it. everybody is educated and they prevent it. I am of the belief we do this the same way,” Jelinek said. “Sometimes you have to put your foot down and say if you do this you are going to pay a price.”

UPDATE: This story has been updated to add comment from American Family Association of Michigan President Gary Glenn.