The Highland Park School District in Michigan has hired Leona Group to manage all of its schools. “Michigan City Outsources All of Its Schools”, Stephanie Banchero & Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, August 3, 2012.
The Detroit-area city has recently suffered a dramatic economic and population decline, but the district didn’t cut staff fast enough to stay ahead of declining revenue. So, costs per student exploded and deficits got out of control. Also, the district’s test scores are among the lowest in the state.