II.
Community Perceptions of Retaliation Under Emergency Management: Lack of Redress Process for
Parents, Students & the Community From 2011 to June 24, 2015
SUMMARY
There is a lot going on, but no way to address it without starting with retaliation. Parents of students in
Detroit schools, have few avenues to address complaints of discrimination or other concerns under
Governor Snyder. There is a great fear in the community (parents, teachers, community leadership) that
complaints of hardship caused by the actions of the Emergency Manager will be punished. Gag orders,
which create a hostile working environment for teachers should be removed.
A witness writes:
As a teacher, I feel forced to endure these violations to keep my job because elected officials have no real
authority, and our union contracts can be voided in DPS, and some of us have been retaliated against with
poor evaluations or other discipline because of our union activities and parent activities. What do I do?
One resident of Michigan passionately filled out a complaint form which contained damning information
that would make front page news in Detroit and then asked not to participate in fear of reporting the
criminal oriented information he/she had firsthand knowledge of. The teacher had documentation, and
specifics, but there was no benefit in putting oneself out. Many employees of educational systems in the
Detroit area are unsure of what protection speaking out against illegal practices of the EAA or agents of the
Governor can be provided to them.
Meanwhile, the inaccuracies being reported by agencies of the State, in the EAA or through the DPS
emergency managers are noticed by all. The changes made to how special education is delivered are
especially worrisome.
DETAILS
In most school districts, there is a redress of the grievance process where the citizen can contact any of their
elected school board members to seek and receive remedy. The School Board member can instruct the
Superintendent and/or necessary authority to investigate, and resolve the issue. Under Governor Snyder, the
minority citizens and parents of disabled students have been frustrated by their inability to receive redress of
their grievances in the Detroit School District. Under Governor Snyder, Emergency Managers of Detroit
Public Schools have been unresponsive and inattentive to the concerns and needs vocalized by the parents
and community. Also, the perception of EAA parents is that the appointed Board of the EAA, and its
chancellor are only responsive to Governor Snyder, as they are his appointees.
This is counter to the Constitution of the State of Michigan.
The perception of complainants and the community in general is: If you are white, the Constitution of the
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