June 2, 2017 Contact: Janelle Brzezinski

517-364-9600

Statement Regarding Taylor International Academy

Taylor International Academy
26555 Franklin Road
Southfield, MI

Our first priority is always the well-being, safety and education of the students.

Current situation:
The situation at Taylor International Academy is not what any of us would have wanted to happen. Central Michigan
University was led to believe the board and management were also committed to ensuring the Academy finished the year
strong while moving to closure for next year.

Over the last few days, the Center has actively worked to assess whether it would be feasible for the Academy to reopen
to complete the school year. In order to reopen school, we had to be certain that such a decision would not jeopardize
the health, safety and welfare of the Academys families, students and staff. The resignation of all Academy Board
members earlier this week coupled with the Academys educational service providers decision to no longer provide
services to the Academy, including critical members of the administrative team, presented significant challenges to
overcome. In addition, we were informed that a number of Academy vendors were unwilling to provide any additional
services to the Academy without being fully paid for the work already performed. As of today, the Academy lacks the
funds necessary to pay all of its outstanding invoices and also timely pay for all essential services and other operational
expenses that would be incurred to complete the school year. Accordingly, the conditions leading to the charter contract
suspension continue and therefore necessitate a permanent closure.

Actions taken on June 2 and next steps moving forward:

CMU has determined that the current situation at Taylor International Academy does not allow us to reopen the
school for the remaining two weeks of classes and the schools contract to operate has been suspended
indefinitely and the school will not reopen in the 2017-18 school year.
CMU has notified parents of the status of the Academy. This notification included information on transition
services and student records. The students have completed more than the required hours, grades have been
completed as of May 31, 2017 and all required student testing is completed which will allow students to advance
to the next grade.
CMU remains committed to being a resource for the families and we are available to answer any questions parents
may have. For assistance parents can call 989-774-2100 or email Info@TheCenterForCharters.org.
We are focused on assisting the students and their parents as they transition to a school district that meets their
expectations. We have partnered with the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) for
transition services including a Parent and Talent Expo that will be held on Thursday, June 8 from noon 2 p.m.
and 5 7 p.m. at the Academy. This event is where families can find quality options for their students for next
school year as well as ensure they have the information necessary to make the important decision of what school
will be best for their student.

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THE GOVERNOR JOHN ENGLER CENTER FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS | CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
989-774-2100 (Mt. Pleasant) | 517-364-9600 (Lansing) | www.TheCenterForCharters.org
 During this transition, it is important to maintain student records to assist students in finding another school
district. CMU is working to ensure student records are maintained. Parents received information from CMU today
on student records. For assistance parents can call 989-774-2100 or email Info@TheCenterForCharters.org.
While our focus is on a smooth transition for the students, we also want to ensure that transition services are
provided to the staff. The Parent and Talent Expo on Thursday, June 8 at the Academy will also include
opportunities for the staff to ensure they have the resources to assist them in finding new employment. It is our
understanding that todays payroll for teachers has been processed and we know it is a priority to ensure staff
and teachers are compensated. The staff was notified today of the status of the Academy.
We will work with the Michigan Department of Education to wind-down and dissolve the academy to preserve
assets that can be used to pay teachers and other financial obligations.

Background:

The University is committed to holding the schools it authorizes accountable and cannot allow a school to continue that
is unable to meet the expectations outlined in their charter contract including demonstrating financial viability that will
provide a quality educational program.

CMU has a process designed to work with school boards to get an academy back on firm financial ground. Last fall, CMU
issued a Notice of Intent to Revoke the charter contract to the academy when the audited financial statements
demonstrated that it was in a deficit. This process required the Academy to submit a plan that would demonstrate that
they would make the changes needed to solve their financial problems while providing a quality educational program.

However, the Academy did not provide the necessary information required by CMU that demonstrated financial viability
while providing a quality education program. The Center determined that a plan of correction could not be developed.
During this time, the issue was also compounded as they were notified by their lessor they would not be able to lease
their school building after June 30, 2017. Based upon our decision that a plan of correction could not be developed, the
Academy Board voted on May 25, 2017 to request a voluntary termination of their charter contract and began the process
to close the school at the end of the school year.

The actions taken by CMU are in the best interest of the Academy's students, their families and the community. While we
understand that the closing of a school can be disappointing to students and a terrible inconvenience to parents, we
believe the students and their families can find a better opportunity for a quality education elsewhere.

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THE GOVERNOR JOHN ENGLER CENTER FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS | CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
989-774-2100 (Mt. Pleasant) | 517-364-9600 (Lansing) | www.TheCenterForCharters.org