Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Michigan School District Files Lawsuit, Forms Coalition to Block EFM (ContributorNetwork)

Highland Park (Mich.) School District, which was placed under the auspices of an emergency financial manager on Monday, announced the formation of a coalition designed to oppose state control and decide upon alternative measures, according to Michigan Radio.

The coalition, which is made up of school board officials and other local leaders, has vowed to fight newly appointed EFM Jack Martin. A lawsuit challenging the state's right to appoint an EFM was filed by School Board Secretary Robert Davis on Monday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Here is information surrounding the district.

* Davis' lawsuit alleges the meetings regarding the beleaguered school district's financial situation violated the state's open public meetings law by being held behind closed doors. He named Gov. Rick Snyder, state Superintendent Michael Flanagan and members of the state-appointed financial review team as defendants.

* Davis is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent Martin from beginning his duties.

* State Senator Bert Johnson, D-Highland Park, announced the formation of the Financial and Academic Reinvestment Commission, according to the Detroit News.

* The commission is reportedly going to join forces with other groups in the state that have formed in opposition to Public Act 4. It is also focused on spurring reinvestment and encouraging repopulation in the district, according to the Huffington Post.

* Rev. D. Alexander Bullock, a member of the new commission, has said EFMs have caused "irreparable damage" to Detroit Public Schools and the cities where EFMs have been placed in charge of managing budgets and deficits.

* Highland Park Superintendent Edith Hightower announced the district would close one of its three remaining schools after the consolidation of its two K-8 schools is complete. She also announced the district's administrative offices would change locations to one of the two open schools, according to MLive.

* Barber Focus School will close and all students will be moved to Henry Ford Academy.

* Hightower said the decision to close the school had been made before Gov. Snyder declared Highland Park to be facing a financial emergency and before he appointed Martin to be the district's EFM.

Vanessa Evans is a musician and freelance writer based in Michigan, with a lifelong interest in politics and public issues.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120131/pl_ac/10907209_michigan_school_district_files_lawsuit_forms_coalition_to_block_efm

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