editorial comment "We can teach science ins style"!!! Indeed, when paraphernalia was in primary school, boiling water and distilling wood were the two main experiments. Good to see that kids today are learing valuable skills!

Portland Public Schools' Westwood Elementary School received a boost in its ability to educate students Friday afternoon, thanks to a donation from the Central Michigan Enforcement Team.

Six fifth graders helped Portland Public Schools officials, Ionia County Sheriff Dwain Dennis, Portland Police Sgt. Tom Teitsma and CMET Lt. Steve Rau unload the high-end grow equipment, once used to grow marijuana.

The donated items are estimated to have a total value of between $5,000 and $10,000.


Portland Public Schools Superintendent Charles Dumas said the donated items will help the science curriculum at the elementary school and added the district wouldn't have been able to afford the equipment on their own.

“Now we can teach [science] in style and hope they comprehend it,” he said.

Additionally, the donation allows students from the school to see law enforcement officers helping them out and in a positive light.

Dumas said students usually see police officers on the street in their patrol cars, and this gives them a positive image of law enforcement since they are helping their education.

In addition to benefiting the school district and the students, this donation shows residents of Ionia County how their participation in CMET pays off.

“Ionia [County] being part of CMET allows us to give back like that,” Lt. Steve Rau said.

CMET is a multi-county drug task force serving Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm and Newaygo counties.

He said not only is CMET getting drug paraphernalia off the street, they are putting it back into the schools to be teaching aids.

He wasn't the only one who thought the donation was an example of CMET working for the community.

Dennis, the county sheriff, said many often wonder how the Ionia County's participation pays off.

He also said the donation was an innovative way for CMET to give back to the community.

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