Dave Sipka

EducationLocal GovernmentNewsPolitics

Muskegon Heights Teachers Union, Emergency Financial Manager Settle Before Hearing Regarding Layoffs

Key provisions of the multi-part settlement appear to revolve around the short notice of termination of health benefits and the disruption of the Weatherspoon’s short timeline to enact any educational plan before the start of the coming school year.

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EducationLocal GovernmentNews

UPDATE: Further Muskegon Heights Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Appointment Details Shared By Interim Superintendent

The governor will not make any decisions on whom to appoint until after the board decides whether or not to appeal the ruling. Currently, the district has one week to appeal the decision, with a decision required by April 17. If appealed, the hearing will occur at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18 in Lansing.

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Community EventsEducationNews

Extended Coverage: Questions Posed At Muskegon Heights Public Schools Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday’s public meeting regarding the present and future of Muskegon Heights Public Schools featured many handwritten questions from those in attendance. Provided in this article are summary answers and quotes from Muskegon Area Intermediate School District and Muskegon Heights interim superintendent Dave Sipka

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EducationLocal GovernmentNews

1000 Encouraged to Attend Muskegon Heights Public Schools “Town Hall” Meeting On Wednesday 2/15 At 6 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the performing arts center at Muskegon Heights High School and will run from 6 to 7:15 on Wednesday. Questions must be submitted in writing and should focus on topics relating to the district. Muskegon Heights High School Alumni Association President Joe Warren worked for months with others to get this meeting set. He challenged the community to “get off Facebook” and come to the meeting to hear facts and start taking action.

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EducationLocal GovernmentNews

UPDATE: State Police Investigation of Muskegon Heights Public Schools Found No Prosecutable Violations

Speaking with Michigan State Police’s Office of Public Affairs, 103.7 The Beat has learned that the state police ended their investigation because they found no prosecutable offenses regarding the alleged misuse of Title I federal funds by Muskegon Heights Public Schools.

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EducationLocal GovernmentNews

With Deficit Plan Deadline Looming, MAISD Offers Proposals To Right Heights Public Schools Finances

Despite widespread misinformation, the board of education retains decision-making powers for the district. While the school board asked the state last month to install Demetriou as an emergency financial manager for the district, the state has not taken action on the matter; Demetriou remains in an advisory role only.

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EducationLocal GovernmentNews

After Unprecedented and Possibly Bellwether Emergency Financial Manager Request, Muskegon Heights Board Of Education Dispels Rumors, Says Farewell To Superintendent Bryant

Board president Burrell noted at Monday’s meeting that the district’s move to proactively ask for an EFM was not just unprecedented, but it might be a bellwether move for the whole state to follow. Coincidental to last week’s request by Muskegon Heights, some members of Michigan’s state legislature might be asking Governor Snyder to change the existing emergency financial manager law to function in a similar way.

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