Gov: Musk Heights manager decision soon

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WOOD) - Gov. Rick Snyder said he will have decision about whether to appoint an emergency financial manager at Muskegon Heights schools soon.

Snyder, who was in Grand Rapids for a tourism conference, told 24 Hour News 8 that he is in the process of making his decision and that a final verdict will come soon, not in "weeks or months."

"I've got the information and I'm reviewing it. Again, I want to make sure that I'm doing it in a thoughtful way," said Snyder. "And I appreciate their hard work. We'll go through that in the normal course of things."

Last week, a state-appointed review team recommended to Snyder that the district get an emergency financial manager. The final decision is now up to the governor.

This process started after the district itself asked for an emergency manager late last year.

The district is dealing with about $12 million in debt and unions have refused to make concessions that administrators say are necessary to keep the school afloat.

The teachers' union has asked for more time to fix Muskegon Heights's finances, but the review team said that time wasn't something they could give.

The governor said the new emergency manager law is better than the old law and thinks it can work in Muskegon Heights.

"This is an improvement, the new system we have. And hopefully, we'll see that have positive impact in Muskegon Heights," said Snyder.