LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Half a million dollars can’t mend Oxford’s wounds—and not all families are willing to take it.

Two families of students killed in the 2021 school shooting—Madisyn Baldwin and Justin Shilling—have agreed to $500,000 settlements with Oxford Community Schools. Two others, Tate Myre’s and Hana St. Juliana’s, refused the offer, blasting the district for hiding behind qualified immunity.

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A federal appeals court in May dismissed wrongful-death suits against school officials, ruling counselor Shawn Hopkins and dean Nick Ejak did not show “callous indifference” to the shooter’s behavior, The Detroit News reported. 

This, however, left families with little legal ground to press ahead.

“You had to look at the writing on the wall,” attorney Wolfgang Mueller said, who represents Baldwin’s family. “It’s clearly not adequate … but the reality was, the cases were going to be dismissed.”

Hana’s father, Steve St. Juliana, was blunt. In a June board meeting, he told district leaders to “shove” their settlement. “That’s how little you value our children,” he said. “I am not going to stop striving for the changes necessary to save our kids.”

Oxford’s attorney Tim Mullins said the district was “pleased” to resolve two claims but acknowledged talks with other families continue.