Roy Roberts will be replaced today as emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools by Jack Martin, whose last assignment was helping Mayor Dave Bing implement the city’s consent agreement with the state, Ingrid Jacques reports in The Detroit News.
The change will be announced Monday morning by Gov. Rick Snyder in Detroit, and will take effect immediately.
Roberts had been scheduled to leave the district in May, when his second, one-year contract expired, but was forced to stay on because a suitable replacement couldn’t be found.
Martin told The News he’s known Roberts for years, and doesn’t plan major changes. Once he gets settled, he said, he will visit schools, staff and teachers.
“I’ll first focus on starting school on time and without incident,” Martin said. “Enrollment is a major focus.”
Martin, Detroit’s chief financial officer, has a deep background in government turnaround. Before Snyder embedded him in the mayor’s office, he was emergency manager of Highland Park Schools. He was also a member of the financial review team that delved into Detroit’s financial condition early in 2012 and ultimately recommended a state takeover.
