VIII Emergency Manager’s Appointments of Unqualified and Unethical Administrators Harms the Community
SUMMARY
Governor Snyder, through his Emergency Managers has authorized unqualified and unethical persons to have
management roles over the minority student body, causing an adverse impact to minority students while making
parents feel uncomfortable that they could not address their concerns. Parents in white school districts and
School Board members have input in the education of their children.
DETAILS
Diaz
Rudolpho Diaz, principal of Western International High School in Detroit, embezzled more than $100,000 from
the charitable organization between November 2011 and May 2014 for jewelry and personal vacations.
Pugh
Despite the urging of Board Member, LaMar Lemmons, not to do so, Emergency Manager Roy Roberts
allowed City Council President, Charles Pugh to mentor male youth resulting in a lawsuit which alleged the
Council Member had inappropriate contact with a male student he mentored and exposing the district to a
lawsuit. Lemmons vocalized that it was not a good idea to allow Pugh to mentor young adult students as Pugh
openly had young lovers about town who were the same age range as Frederick Douglas students. His sexuality
was not the issue. What is at issue is the fiduciary responsibility to maintain a mentor – mentee relationship
with students of all ages. Since Pugh’s dating preference seemed to involved males in the same young adult age
range, it did not seem the best idea to put Pugh over young adult male students. Roberts went ahead giving
special allowances to community influencers on the Coalition list. This allowed Pugh his pick of hundreds of
students.
Graves-Hicks
Although Nina Graves- Hicks had no aviation experience, and the members of the Davis Aerospace Technical
Subcommittee which had worked with the school for a decade preferred another candidate who had served the
nation in the United States Air Force, the Emergency Manager hired Graves-Hicks to principal Davis Aerospace
Technical High School which r esulted in loss of FAA accreditation, a plane being dismantled making it
inoperable, and students being forced off campus t lo find ocal fast food instead of allowing them to participate
in the Federal lunch program or bring their own lunch both issues which resulted in loss of enrollment. After
doing a terrible job and disrespecting the Tuskegee Airmen, she was promoted to Superintendent. Why?
Donaldson
Despite having no education in teaching or a teaching certification, David Donaldson was hired as principal at
Cody high school by the Emergency Manager, and then made an executive in the EAA over many other
experienced candidates. Donaldson retaliated against teachers and was promoted to an executive position in the
EAA.
ALTERNATIVES
The number of ethical violations under Snyder is perceived to have increased. The Emergency Managers
should strive to hire qualified principles who understand the law and community perceptions.
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