Judge Blocks State From Taking Over East Detroit Schools

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) - A judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the state School Reform Office from appointing a chief executive officer to oversee four academically low-performing East Detroit Public Schools.

Macomb County Circuit Judge Joseph Toia ruled Friday there is a risk that allowing a takeover would cause the school district "irreparable harm." He has scheduled a hearing on the issue for June 13.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, East Detroit School Board President Craig Brozowski argued that a state-appointed CEO would deprive citizens of their right to vote in local school board elections.

In February, the School Reform Office announced it would appoint a chief executive officer to oversee the academics of four of the district's seven schools that rank at the bottom 5 percent in the state.