February 21, 2012
Highland Park Schools Emergency Manager Jack Martin, Detroit Public Schools Emergency
Manager Roy Roberts, and State Treasurer Andy Dillon today signed a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) that provides temporary assistance and support to Highland Park Schools
from Detroit Public Schools. The MOA, which will be in place for the remainder of the 2011-
2012 school year, allows current Highland Park students to remain in their current classrooms
with their current teachers, if they so choose, despite the district's financial crisis. This
arrangement was made possible by legislation signed last week by Gov. Snyder.
"The Snyder Administration, in partnership with the Michigan legislature, has worked tirelessly
over the last couple of weeks to ensure viable options for Highland Park students and their
families," said Dillon. "This unique agreement will ensure that students, who did not cause the
district's financial emergency, will have the ability to finish the school year at HPS."
Under the MOA, DPS will assist in the management and operations of Highland Park Schools
beginning today, March 2, 2012. Under the partnership, DPS will support personnel-related
functions on behalf of Highland Park Schools. DPS will receive distressed district student
transition grants of $4,000 per pupil. Highland Park Schools Emergency Manager Jack Martin,
who was reappointed to the post by Gov. Snyder this morning, will retain authority granted to
him under PA 4 of 2011 to rectify the district's financial emergency.
"Our goal is to ensure that students face as little disruption as possible," said Martin. "I want to
thank Mr. Roberts for his willingness to assist Highland Park Schools through such trying times. I would also like to thank the teachers and staff who have been in class and working all week
despite not getting paid last Friday. They will be receiving paychecks later today."
Under House Bill 4445 or Public Act 29 of 2012, a $4,000 per-pupil stipend will go to DPS as
the operating entity for Highland Park schools for the remainder of the current school year.
"Our mutual goal will continue to be to educate the children first," said Roberts. "Detroit Public
Schools is willing to fill a role as current legislation allows, to ensure that Highland Park
students can continue to learn in a stable and consistent fashion."
The legislation also allows Highland Park students the opportunity to transfer to another district
or school that has space if they choose. The $4,000 per pupil stipend would follow that child to
the school of choice.
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