did covington lie on a $35.4 million grant application?

democracy-tree |  Michigan’s Superintendent of Public Education Michael Flanagan announced today that he plans to move more schools into the Education Achievement Authority starting in January. Approximately ten academically struggling schools are to join the current 15 that were vacuumed-up last year from Detroit Public Schools. The announcement comes amidst growing criticism over the state-run district’s efficacy and fiscal health.

Senate Democrats took issue with the EAA last week pointing to its inability to prove their worth. Sen. Bert Johnson (D-2) put it this way:

“The shortcomings of the EAA are well documented. From flawed accounting practices to a lack of results in the classroom, the EAA has made many promises of getting better, but has failed to deliver.”

Pressure from educators across the state and faculty members at Eastern Michigan University spurred the resignation of EAA board member Jann Joseph last week. Joseph is the dean of the college of education at EMU. Faculty cited concerns about the affiliation with the EAA:

“These negative impacts on our reputation, our local relationships, our students and programs, the clear effect on enrollments and thus revenue to the university are a repudiation of EMU’s legacy as a champion of public education and a leader in the preparation of educational professionals. We implore you to remedy this situation as quickly as possible by unanimously voting to withdraw from the contract creating the EAA.”

The EAA has yet to demonstrate its value, and has a history of shady revenue deals. Last year they borrowed $12 million from DPS in a hush-hush contract, and through a freedom of information request it was discovered that EAA Chancellor, John Covington, lied on an application for a $35.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.