Highland Park emergency manager steps down in wake of court ruling

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) - During a conference call with members of the media, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder revealed that Highland Park Schools' emergency manager Jack Martin is stepping aside, returning decision-making responsibilities to the district’s superintendent and school board.

The move comes in the wake of last week’s ruling by Ingham County Circuit Court Judge William Collette that found that meetings by a state-appointed financial review team violated their meetings violated the state’s open meetings act.

Because of this, the 10 member financial review team will meet in an open meeting on February 23 to discuss the financial situation in Highland Park Schools.

However, the state says the district may be so short on cash that they may not be able to make Friday’s payroll obligations. The state says this is despite a $4 million hardship loan and two advancements of State Aid Payments.

The state is working towards completing an operating agreement with either another district or a charter operator that will help students that want to remain in the district.

Governor Snyder is also urging the Legislature to consider a bill that will offer students who wish to leave the district the opportunity to do so.

“We will not fail the children of Highland Park,” Snyder said. “They deserve a quality education so they can take advantage of the many opportunities that await them. The students, parents, and residents of Highland Park deserve better and doing nothing is not an option.”