East Detroit Schools halt state takeover

East Detroit Schools obtained a temporary restraining order Friday to stop the state School Reform Office from appointing a CEO to lead four of the district’s schools.

In a complaint filed Wednesday in Macomb County Circuit Court, East Detroit School Board President Craig Brozowski said the district believed a CEO was already selected for the district. Among other complaints, the district argued that a state-appointed CEO would deprive citizens of their right to vote in local school board elections.

Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Toia ordered the School Reform Office refrain from placing any East Detroit school in the state School Reform District, from appointing a CEO for any school in the district, and from exercising any authority over the district. The judge’s order will remain in place until a hearing can take place at10 am on June 13.

In his order, Toia said there was a risk that the school district could “suffer irreparable harm” if placed under the control of a state-appointed CEO.

The School Reform Office did not immediately respond to a request for comments late Saturday.