January 14, 2005
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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