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Santorum Expands Plan For Grosse Pointe Farms Visit

GROSSE POINTE FARMS (WWJ/AP) - Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum's visit to a Grosse Pointe Farms school is being expanded due to interest from the public.

The former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania will speak to the public Wednesday after the school day ends at Grosse Pointe South High School. He'll speak earlier to students who get permission from their parents.

Officials had scratched Santorum's speech to students, saying they weren't certain it would focus on leadership and community service. They later apologized and reversed the decision while adding the condition that parents OK their children's attendance.

Adam Tragone --with Young Americans for Freedom, which invited Santorum -- told WWJ that the district's Superintendent said he had problems with Santorum's "divisive" and "extreme" views on traditional marriage and on education.

Grosse Pointe schools spokeswoman Rebecca Fannon had initially said some parents were concerned about Santorum's conservative philosophy.  She now says hundreds of people want to see Santorum.

The district said students raised $18,000 to pay for the visit.

MORE: Some Concerned About 'Extreme' Rick Santorum's School Speech

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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