Jack Martin, former chief financial officer for the U.S. Department of Education, will serve as emergency manager for the Highland Park Public Schools.Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed an emergency manager for Highland Park Public Schools.
Today's decision comes weeks after a state review team determined that a financial emergency exists in the district.
Snyder has appointed Jack Martin, a corporate accountant previously considered as a candidate to oversee Detroit Public Schools.
"Jack Martin has more than four decades of experience in both the public and private sectors, and has earned tremendous respect throughout his career," Snyder said in a news release. "Given his understanding of the critical importance of education and his background as a CPA, I'm confident Mr. Martin is well-suited for this post, and will work quickly and efficiently to address the financial emergency faced by Highland Park schools."
Martin is founder of Martin, Arrington, Desai & Meyers P.C. and was chief financial officer for the U.S. Department of Education from 2002-05. His appointment is effective Monday.
On a conference call with reporters, Martin, who also serves on a financial review team evaluating the city of Detroit's finances, said he needed to get "a lay of the land" before commenting on any future action with the district. Responding to a question from MLive, Martin said he would meet with "members of the school board, the city council, the mayor, the police chief and parents" to brainstorm solutions for the district.
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Highland Park schools superintendent Edith Hightower could not be immediately reached for comment. The district was notified of Martin's appointment Friday afternoon.
Highland Park Public Schools becomes the first school district to receive a state-appointed emergency manager under Public Act 4, which gives appointees power to void existing union contracts and dissolve existing boards.
The troublesome district has operated on a deficit for five out of the last six years -- a trigger for possible state intervention -- and has operated on budgets as low as $597,000.
Other triggers that signaled the district's
included:
- The district's cumulative deficit increased by 51 percent over the past fiscal year, from June 30, 2010, to June 30, 2011, growing from $6.6 million to $11.3 million, according to the district's fiscal year 2011 financial audit. Expenditures exceeded revenues by $3.8 million in fiscal year 2011.
- The district owes more than $1.7 million in accounts payable, which range from 30 days to 6 months old.
- The district's pupil enrollment has decreased by 58 percent since 2006, dropping from 3,179 pupils to 1,331 for fiscal year 2011. Current estimates show a pupil count of 969.
, board members voted 6-1 to appeal an emergency manager appointment.
, board members argued that the state was largely unwilling to cooperate with other suggestions to remedy its growing deficit.
Deputy Treasurer Roger Fraser issued
summarizing the district's precarious financial state to Snyder,
.
"Over the last several weeks, I have grown increasingly concerned about the district's ability to complete the school year without significant assistance and intervention," Snyder said in the news release. "The welfare of the students attending Highland Park schools is our number one priority. We must ensure they have every opportunity to learn and succeed."
Related Content: Who is Jack Martin? Meet the new emergency manager for Highland Park Public Schools