HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. — Michigan’s top education official has asked Gov. Rick Snyder to assign a financial review team to the Highland Park School District, saying the district is in financial distress, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Mike Flanagan, State Superintendent for Public Instruction, cited a nearly $20 million deficit, a sharp drop in enrollment and an audit that disclosed poor cash management as reasons for his request, the Free Press reported.
The move could bring the district closer to having an emergency financial manager appointed to oversee operations, but a Highland Park school board trustee said such a step wouldn’t be necessary, according to the Free Press.
Robert Davis, board secretary, said the district is working to eliminate the deficit, citing last year’s privatization of custodial, food service and security services and a new effort to share services with the Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency, the Free Press reported.
SOURCE:
The Detroit Free Press, “State schools chief seeks financial review for Highland Park school district,” Aug. 30, 2011
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “Common School Funding Myths,” Sept. 7, 2010
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