May 3, 2015
Mr. Darnell Earley
Emergency Manager
Detroit Public Schools
3011 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202
Mr. Earley,
It has come to our attention from our constituents and from the community at large that there is a concern
about a misuse of Federal funds and a concern about discrimination against members of the community
for their Federally protected characteristics. These members of the community made their concerns
known publicly via litigation and the filing of various Federal complaints. Sometimes, we have personally
been named, or the Board itself has been named in the documents.
For instance, I was named as President of the School Board, as a defendant in one of the legal cases. Prior
to receiving the court notice, I had no knowledge of the dispute between the Plaintiff and the district as the
Emergency Manager did not make the Board aware. Based on the litigation and many filings from
constituents, it is reasonable that School Board members would be concerned about issues occurring
under PA 436 that come to our attention through documents filed by members of the community. It is
reasonable we would need to share this information with one another and discuss any liability, obligation
to cooperate or obligation to report information to a Federal investigation.
You are aware or should be aware of the concerns brought forward by the community of the misuse of
Federal funds and discrimination against members of the community.
We asked for money to pay for legal counsel to help us to review documents and file complaints. You
stated you would not pay for counsel, but we never imagined you would limit our speaking about these
matters, and discipline us for holding a meeting to discuss these issues as you have done. If we cannot
meet, we have no way to make decisions about the matters we sought counsel about.
11