Recommendation: Highland Park Schools Need Emergency Manager

A financial review team, similar to the one recently appointed to review the finances of the City of Detroit, concluded their review of the Highland Park Schools and submitted their report and recommendations to Governor Rick Snyder this week.

The review team found that, although the schools had been cutting their budget each of the last three fiscal years, a balanced budget had only been achieved for the district in one of the last six years. The budget deficit grew from $6.6 million to $11.3 million from the 2009-2010 to the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Additionally, the review team noted that the district, as of mid-November, had $1.7 million in unpaid bills – some as late as six months delinquent.

Student enrollment for Highland Park Schools has been steadily declining. The report indicates that 1,331 students were enrolled in 2010-2011; however, an estimated 969 are currently enrolled. 3,179 students called the district home in 2006.

The Governor, if he chooses to follow the recommendations of the review committee, can appoint an emergency manager to be in place later this month.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 6, 2012 10:56 AM
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