| Article in the Detroit News 12/5/06; Livonia parents fight school cuts | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 5 2006, 09:30 AM (149 Views) | |
| 2 kids | Jan 5 2006, 09:30 AM Post #1 |
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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../601050355/1026 Livonia parents fight school cuts Plan would close seven elementary schools and divide others Catherine Jun / The Detroit News January 5, 2006 LIVONIA-- Parents opposed to a sweeping school district reconfiguration plan have retained high-profile attorney Mayer Morganroth in their attempt to recall school board members and pressure the board to reverse its decision. The Southfield attorney, whose client list includes Jack Kevorkian, will represent Citizens for Livonia's Future. The group of about 1,000 parents has been leading the opposition to the Livonia Public School board's Dec. 5 vote to close seven elementary schools and divide schools into K-fourth-grade buildings, fifth-sixth-grade buildings, and seventh-eighth-grade schools. Morganroth said Wednesday he will attempt to get the board to reverse its position, and file litigation if members don't budge. "We'll be notifying them about our position, and we expect that they'll reconsider," said Morganroth. If the board stands by its Dec. 5 decision, he may file for an injunction invalidating the board's vote in Wayne County Circuit Court. "They say they're saving money, but the program is not cost-effective," he said. "They're not saving money, they're wasting it, and they're doing at the disadvantage of the children." He cited the need to buy buses, and the long bus rides some students will have to new schools. District Superintendent Randy Liepa did not return calls for comment Wednesday. Parents have received up to $20,000 in pledges from area businesses to pay for Morganroth's fees, said Anna Krome, a Livonia parent. "If (we) get this high-profile attorney on our side, (the school board) is going to stop ignoring us," Krome said. Citizens for Livonia's Future will hold an informational meeting Jan. 11 for parents opposed to the district's plan. The meeting will be held from 7-9 p.m. at St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church, 18200 Merriman. Morganroth is not scheduled to attend. Parents are preparing recall petitions for five of the seven school board members who voted for the plan, to be reviewed by their attorney before submission to the Wayne County Election Commission. Morganroth has been involved in several well-publicized lawsuits and criminal trials, including cases involving auto executive John DeLorean and Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. You can reach Catherine Jun at (734) 462-2204 or cjun@detnews.com. |
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