DETROIT (AP) - Experts from the University of Michigan are working with Detroit's public schools on a new executive leadership program, the financially troubled district said Monday.
Ross School of Business faculty, organizational and development experts are meeting this week with Detroit Schools' officials. Ross faculty will visit the district. Detroit teachers, principals and staff also will attend sessions at the University Michigan's Ann Arbor campus.
Part of the program's focus will be on strategic planning and business operations.
"All players in the Detroit education market must not only improve individually, but also work together to create an efficient and effective public education delivery system in Detroit," the district's state-appointed emergency manager, Darnell Earley, said in a release. "We must never forget that a strong public school system is essential to the future of Detroit, Southeast Michigan, as well as the state of Michigan."
The district has been under state oversight since 2009. Earley said in January that it has a $170 million deficit.
Sliding enrollment has contributed to the money troubles. About 47,000 full-time students were enrolled last fall, and just under 49,000 enrolled the previous year. About 104,000 students were in the district in 2007.
The district said Ross faculty has been involved in turnaround models for a number of companies, including Oracle, Bank of America, Prudential and Pfizer.
Among other goals, the Detroit program looks to create a high-performance environment; provide tools and resources to accomplish work activities; and recognize and reward behaviors that reinforce a performance-driven culture.
"Michigan Ross shares a common bond with our colleagues of the Detroit Public Schools and that is our belief that a quality education is transformative," said Alison Davis-Blake, the business school dean. "We applaud DPS for making a commitment to ongoing leadership development and strategic planning for their future, and the future of their students, and are proud to offer our expertise to support this partnership."
Published: Wed, Mar 25, 2015
