January 14, 2005

Details Administration’s Team that is Evaluating Deficit Reduction Plan

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that a community-based transition team has been named to work in partnership with Detroit Public Schools (DPS) as it moves towards governance by an elected school board. The team, which community leaders asked the Governor to name, has been formed under the leadership of Detroit NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony.

The Governor also announced the names of those people on the state’s finance team who have been actively reviewing the district’s financial situation and evaluating the deficit elimination plan under development by DPS CEO Dr. Kenneth Burnley.

"There has been a tremendous outpouring of interest and energy in Detroit from people who want to be involved in guiding their school system to a better future," said Granholm. "Rev. Anthony has provided critical leadership in the formation of this team that will involve leaders from all segments of the Detroit community."

The transition team will focus on the long-term tasks of identifying candidate selection criteria for the soon-to-be-elected school board and developing a vision and strategy for making the DPS both financially and educationally sound. The team will also monitor the deficit elimination efforts underway under Dr. Burnley.

"While the transition team recognizes that Dr. Burnley and his staff have the responsibility to develop and implement deficit elimination plans, community leaders feel they must monitor that process to make sure the district is on a solid path to fiscal solvency," said Granholm.

The Governor made her announcement after receiving a list from Rev. Anthony containing the names of 120 community volunteers who have come together to form the transition team. Among those listed are:

Dr. Ken Harris, chair, Education, Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity

Rep. Mary Waters, minority floor leader, Michigan House of Representatives

Sen. Irma Clark Coleman, Michigan Senate

Janna Garrison, president, Detroit Federation of Teachers

Karen Batchelor, senior vice president, Detroit Regional Chamber

William C. Brooks, chairman, Detroit Board of Education

Roderick Gillum, vice president, Corporation Relation & Diversity, General Motors Corporation

Paul Taylor, executive director, Inner City Sub-Center

Angela Reyes, executive director, Detroit Hispanic Corporation

Ricardo Kisner, deputy director, Finance Department, City of Detroit

Diann Woodard, president, Organization of School Administrators & Supervisors

Carol Summers, president, Detroit PTA/PTSA

The State’s finance team, which has been engaged since November 2004 in an analysis of the DPS finances and the deficit elimination plan required of the school district under state law, is being led by Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. Members include:

State Treasurer Jay Rising

State Budget Director Mary Lannoye

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins

Granholm Deputy Legal Counsel Steve Liedel

Deputy State Treasurer Cynthia Faulhaber

Robbie Jameson, director of education and infrastructure for the State Budget Office

Elaine Madigan, executive director of school finance and law for the Michigan Department of Education

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