The only Michigan school district left under emergency management will transition back to local control.
A multi-million dollar deficit prompted a state takeover of Highland Park Public Schools in 2012.
Now the district and the Michigan Department of Treasury are reviewing options to transition to a form of local governance.
Emergency Manager Kevin Smith was appointed in January of 2014. His term ends in April.
Smith has drafted a District Educational Strategic Plan 2018-2023, which he expects to share with stakeholders early this month.
The district has entered into repayment agreements with the Office of Retirement Services, Michigan Department of Education, Wayne RESA, and Unemployment Insurance Agency.
It's still in negotiations with DTE Energy, according to the state Department of Treasury.
Highland Park schools only educates students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
That's after closing its high school at the end of the 2015 school year due to budget woes and a dramatic drop in enrollment.
