HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – The new emergency manager for the Highland Park School District will start Monday.
Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Jack Martin as the emergency manager for the Highland Park School District. Martin's role will be helping the district out of its $11.3 million budget deficit.
In a phone conference, Martin made it clear cleaning up the financial troubles of the school district was his No. 1 priority.
"I plan to work with the district's parents, students and the city's all elected officials and our teachers and administrators to implement solutions to the district's problems that will be lasting and in the best interest of the school district and the city of Highland Park," he said.
Meanwhile, a group of Highland Park community leaders is expected to hold a press conference Monday challenging the emergency manager. The group will also be announcing the formation of a Financial and Academic Reinvestment Commission.
READ: Gov. Rick Snyder's Highland Park determination letter
The district has had an operating deficit in five of the past six fiscal years. Enrollment has dropped from 3,179 students to 969 during the past five years.
The governor exercised his right pursuant to Public Act 4 of 2011 following the recommendations of a 10-member independent review team.
Martin, a certified public accountant, is founder and chairman of Martin, Arrington, Desai & Meyers, P.C., and was chief financial officer for the U.S. Department of Education from January 2002 through December 2005. He's also a member of the review team looking into Detroit's financial crisis.