Parents Outraged After Students Questioned About Gender, Sexuality, and Suicide Without School’s or Parents Knowledge

Parents demand answers after a health department survey asked middle schoolers deeply personal questions without prior notice to families or school administrators.

NOTE: Interview with mom below

DURAND, Mich. — Parents in Durand are demanding answers after students were pulled from class and administered a controversial health survey without the prior knowledge of Durand school officials or parents.

According to letters sent home to families, the Shiawassee County Health Department’s School Wellness Program (SWP) administered the "Rapid Adolescent Prevention Screening" (RAAPS) to a portion of middle school students. The survey asked students questions about gender identity, sexual orientation, suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol use, and experiences with physical or sexual abuse.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent Shannon Knapp and Principal Rebecca Shankster wrote, “Durand Administration nor staff was aware of the survey, the content of the survey, or that the survey was being given.” They also stated that they “expect transparency in what is happening with our students every step of the way.”

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The survey was administered by employees of the School Wellness Program, who school officials said are normally trusted figures working daily in the building. Knapp and Shankster emphasized that only students with parental consent forms for the Wellness Program were selected, but admitted that the district had no knowledge that a risk assessment was being conducted, nor which version of the survey each student received.

The Shiawassee County Health Department defended the survey, saying it was part of routine efforts to support student well-being. In a letter dated May 14, 2025, Health Officer Larry Johnson and Director of Personal and Community Health Nicole Greenway wrote, “RAAPS is a brief, evidence-based screening tool used by school wellness staff to better understand the challenges students may be facing—such as stress, safety concerns, or emotional struggles—that can affect their ability to succeed in school.”

The department added, “Our goal is never to intrude, but to ensure students feel safe, supported, and able to thrive both academically and emotionally.”

Despite the health department’s explanation, Durand school officials said they have asked the School Wellness Program to suspend any further risk assessments for the remainder of the school year. Moving forward, they announced that the 2025–26 consent forms will include a checkbox for parents to specifically opt-in to any future risk assessments.

The health department also stated that it would no longer administer the RAAPS survey at Durand schools and will collaborate with school officials to develop a new risk assessment process with greater parental involvement.

Durand administrators reassured families, writing, “Please know we are doing everything in our power to serve and protect your child and our community each and every day.”

Parents who wish to withdraw their consent for the School Wellness Program are encouraged to contact the Shiawassee County Health Department.

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