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Snyder: Highland Park School District Could Close by Monday

WKAR file photo

Governor Rick Snyder says he is forced by a court decision to “de-activate” the emergency manager running the Highland Park school district. But, he says the district is out of money and its schools could be closed by Monday. That would force hundreds of students to find other options.

Governor Snyder says the state will not advance more money to the district as it spends thousands of dollars more per student than it takes in. The governor challenged the Highland Park school board to either come up with a solution or cooperate with his efforts to quickly re-install the emergency manager.

The governor also called on the Legislature to pass emergency measures -- this week, he hopes -- that would allow students to transfer to another district or to a charter school.

"That’s not an option, in my view, is to leave these children without a solution," he says. "We’ve got to come up with a solution for these children.”

Last week, a judge invalidated the state takeover of Highland Park schools because a financial review team did not comply with Michigan’s open meetings law. The challenge was filed by a Highland Park school board member. 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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