CHICAGO - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday tapped the emergency manager of Flint to be the fourth emergency manager of the long-troubled Detroit Public Schools.
Darnell Earley will replace Jack Martin, who is stepping down after an 18-month tenure. Under state law, the local school board can vote to remove Martin after 18 months.
DPS has been under emergency management since March 2009, with a total of four emergency managers, including Earley. Despite the years of state oversight, the district is projected to have a $170 million deficit at the end of fiscal 2015.
Snyder in recent comments suggested that the emergency management process was not working there. But in introducing Earley on Tuesday, Snyder said he thinks it's important to continue to have an EM in place.
"Detroit Public Schools remains under a financial emergency as community leaders start discussions about a long-term reinvention to build a stable, financially secure system that creates a brighter future for all city students," Snyder said in a statement. "A thriving public school system is an essential part of Detroit's comeback."
Earley has been Flint's emergency manager since late 2013. He was that city's third manager after the state took it over in 2011.
Jerry Ambrose, a financial advisor to the city of Flint, will take over there, according to local reports. The state is expected to allow Flint to transition back to local control in April.
"Important community discussions are underway about creating a brighter future for education in Detroit," Earley said in a statement. "It's vital for the district to be on firmer financial footing so this work can move forward."
