Fallout from accusations in Detroit
After a former staffer filed a whistleblower lawsuit accusing Mayor Dave Bing of seeking to dissolve Detroit city council and the Detroit public school board by becoming the emergency manager of both, Mayor Dave Bing's office has been working to control the damage.
He has denied the allegations.
The Detroit News reports Bing might make changes to his staff:
Mayor Dave Bing is moving to fortify his staff and is in serious talks to bring a former lieutenant, a longtime government veteran and ex-television anchor to an administration suddenly rocked by scandal. Bing is in discussions with former group executive Kirk Lewis to return to a top position, former Coleman A. Young chief of staff Charlie Williams to serve as a high-level executive and former WDIV-TV (Channel 4) anchor Emery King to provide communications consulting, three sources said.
The Mayor's communications chief, Karen Dumas, has told the Detroit Free Press that she'll resign from her post is she's asked to. Dumas was accused in the lawsuit, filed by Rocelle Collins and her husband, of creating a hostile work environment and causing Collins emotional distress.
Dumas was quoted in the Detroit Free Press:
"I understand that I am an at-will employee," Dumas, 48, told the Free Press on Thursday. "If it is determined now or in the immediate future, or whenever, that my presence isn't needed, then I will gracefully go."
The Detroit News reports that Collins says the city of Detroit was involved in writing the controversial emergency manager legislation. The author of the legislation, Representative Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville) says he did not have any conversations with Bing or other city officials while writing the bill.
University of Michigan regents adopt budget cuts and tuition increases
The University of Michigan's board of regents voted to increase in-state tuition by 6.7% and out-of-state tuition by 4.9%. U of M, like many schools across the state, is working to deal with a sharp cut in their budgets from the state. In addition to tuition hikes, U of M will cut its budget.
From the Detroit News
The $1.59 billion fiscal year budget was approved by a 6-2 vote. Denise Ilitch also was named chairwoman of the board, replacing Julia Darrow. The university will absorb a $47.5 million cut in state funding, the largest in its 194-year history. "A $47.5 million reduction is a big blow," Provost Phil Hanlon said. "It requires a lot of tough choices across campus." To manage the drop in state aid, all university schools, colleges and administrative units will undergo a 1.5 percent budget cut. In addition, low-enrollment classes will be eliminated, and some university centers and institutes will be closed or downsized. Employees will be asked to pay more toward their health care, and operational staff will be reduced through layoffs.
A school for pregnant teens and teen moms stays open
After weeks of outcry at the planned closing of the Catherine Ferguson Academy in Detroit, students, staff, and supporters celebrated as they learned their school would not close.
Michigan Radio's Sarah Hulett reported on the announcement:
Preparations were under way at Catherine Ferguson Academy in the morning for a big rally to protest the school’s closure. Students were milling around in the hallways. Some were making signs. Across town, protestors were getting on a bus to join the demonstration. But on the 14thfloor of the Fisher building, something else was happening. "Good morning, everyone," Roy Roberts told reporters at a news conference he called. "I want to change your storyline." Roberts announced that Catherine Ferguson Academy – along with two other schools – would be taken over by a charter operator, instead of closing. Back at the school, staff and alumni and students celebrated with hugs and screams.
