we have not been successful locating the document and without it, hesitate to rely solely on our memory.
There is hope we may locate the document. In the meantime, Johnson is not the only person living within
Detroit’s boundaries that feels DPN’s actions are often ‘disingenuous’ using Steve Wasko’s observation.)
During this time, Roy Roberts began cutting funding for consultants, and assistants to the Detroit School
Board from six to two and then one, limiting access to the copy machine and forcing Board Members to file
FOIA requests to receive basic information about district operations.
The Oakman Tiger Parent Organization and parent blogs were busy urging parents to get involved in
planned activities. Oakman Tigers parents volunteered so often that the school was like an extension of
home. Oakman parents were like family. Their and meetings included school activist and attorney Helen
Moore more frequently. The group had access to most political leaders in the city. Roberts suddenly
announced the closure of Oakman and dispersal of the students.
Oakman was in the 90th percentile of capacity. The school had all of the required ADA accommodations for
students and special accommodations unique to the school. Oakman allowed siblings of disabled students to
attend together creating a vibrant community. It had received multiple awards. It was closing. Without an
academic reason, or low enrollment reason for the closure, Robert’s said that the building needed fixing.
Parents quickly contacted an influential community leader, who tried in vain to persuade Roberts to rethink
his decision. He had made up his mind and he let her know the Governor stood by him. Not only does it
seem during the meeting that he try to bribe her, but he became hostile. The leader explained that during a
break at the EAA Board meeting:
“I asked Mr. Roberts about a meeting he had promised me (at the previous EAA meeting in
Detroit) to discuss Oakman and why he believed it should close. Even though I approached
him in a very polite and professional manner when I told him I was still interested in taking
up his offer to meet, he instantly became very hostile. He said his decision was final and he
had spoken to the governor about it.”39
Hoping to dispel concerns he had about Oakman, she continued, telling him how unique and special
Oakman was. She told him of the research she did, suggesting perhaps his enrollment numbers were too
low and the repair costs inflated. She advised him that two of the schools which students were slated to go
to were not even prepared for students with disabilities, and asked him to reconsider the closing Oakman.
“He was unpersuaded. His hostility only seemed to increase. He went on about how maybe I
should work for DPS. I told him I already had a job. Finally I asked him, "So when you said
you wanted to meet with me, you lied?"He literally yelled, ‘Are you calling me a liar? You're
a liar!’ He then stormed off the stage.39
When all the students were moved, the Emergency Manager went further to make Oakman parents feel
unwelcome at whatever schools their students attended. One pare