III Retaliation by Darnell Earley Against Detroit School Board Harms Rights of the Minority Community
from January 7, 2015 – July 13, 2015 (Conditions Continue)
SUMMARY
Darnell Earley retaliated against the Detroit School Board for the discussion of a resolution to report actions
of the Emergency Managers operating under PA 436 to the Department of Justice.
Earley stated School Board Members could not discuss the law, he nullified their Resolution to the
Department of Justice, and refused them space for meeting. The Emergency Manager removed their
stipends for Special Meetings. The Emergency Manager refuses to provide copy paper and secretarial
services during meetings he does not approve.
One of the School Board’s fiduciary responsibilities is to investigate expenditures over $50,000. Another
responsibility is to provide redress to citizens. Under PA 436, an Emergency Manager can act for and
instead of the Board. However under PA436, the Emergency Manager brings proposals before the Board
and if the Board rejects those proposals, the Board has 10 days to offer an alternative proposal to the
Emergency Loan Board.
Upon Darnell Earley’s appointment to Detroit Public Schools, he met with members of the Detroit School
Board to advise that he would not provide resources for them to use to investigate or fight his actions. He
refused to provide funds for necessary consultants to review material and contracts the School Board is
required to vote on. Meanwhile, the School Board was in communication with voters, which included many
civic organizations already filing Title VI complaints. Newly sworn in Board members, learning of specific
allegations, in mid January discussed how community concerns could be investigated without having
experts and consultants. Since they could not investigate the allegations of possible criminal activity and
discrimination, LaMar Lemmons and Board President, Herman Davis suggested the Board request help
from the Department of Justice in a Title VI complaint sent to the Civil Rights Division - Educational
Section.
They drafted a Resolution to go to the Department of Justice and submitted it for a vote. The vote was
unanimous and two thousand people signed a petition that they should submit it. Citizens also made a video.
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