MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — The Muskegon Heights school board, facing a $10 million overspending crisis, recently voted to ask the state to appoint an emergency manager, according to The Muskegon Chronicle.
The Chronicle also reported that the district’s debt could reach $12 million soon and that it owes nearly $900,000 to the state school employee retirement system.
“It's our understanding there should not be any issues preventing this from moving forward,” Superintendent Dana Bryant, who will be retiring in December, told The Chronicle. State law, however, requires two separate reviews of a district’s finances before the governor can make such an appointment, which could be time consuming, according to The Chronicle.
The school board has requested Marios Demetriou, the deputy superintendent for the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, be appointed as the emergency financial manager, The Chronicle reported. Demetriou previously the chief financial officer for the Flint Area Schools, has been with the MAISD since 2004. The Chronicle also reported that school board members said they would continue to serve the district.
SOURCE:
The Muskegon Chronicle, “Muskegon Heights call for emergency manager prompted by overwhelming debt,” Dec. 8, 2011
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “Mackinac Center Recommendations Found In New Financial Emergency Legislation,” March 17, 2011
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