Darnell Earley facts for kids

Darnell Earley is an American public administrator. This means he works to manage and organize public services. He has served as a city manager for cities like Saginaw, Michigan. He was also an emergency manager for Flint, Michigan and the Detroit Public Schools. An emergency manager is someone appointed by the state to help a city or school district that is having serious financial problems. Earley also served as a temporary mayor of Flint.

Early Life and Education

Darnell Earley grew up in Muskegon Heights, Michigan. He was one of nine children born to James and Earlie Mae Earley.

He finished Muskegon Heights High School in 1969. Later, he earned an associate's degree from Muskegon Community College in 1975. He continued his studies, getting a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University. He also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University.

Career Highlights

Starting His Career in Public Service

Earley began his career helping communities. From 1978 to 1981, he worked at the Urban League of Greater Muskegon. He was the director of community development there.

After that, he worked for Muskegon County. He was an assistant to the county administrator. He also worked as an equal employment opportunity officer until 1986. In 1985, Earley became the township manager in Saginaw County's Buena Vista Charter Township.

From 1988 to 1992, he worked for the Michigan House of Representatives. He was the director of research and public policy for the House Democratic Caucus. Later, from 1993 to 2001, Earley was the budget director and deputy controller for Ingham County.

Working in Flint and Saginaw

In April 2001, Earley became the city administrator of Flint, Michigan. A city administrator helps manage the daily operations of a city government. After the mayor, Woodrow Stanley, was recalled (removed from office by voters), Earley became temporary mayor of Flint. He served from March 5 to August 6, 2002. He was the fourth African-American to hold this position. He continued as city administrator until July 2004.

In August 2004, Earley moved to the City of Saginaw. He became the deputy city manager there. In September 2005, he was appointed interim city manager. By June 2006, he became the full city manager, a role he held until 2013.

On May 3, 2005, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Earley to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. His term ended on December 31, 2008. In September 2011, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed Earley to a state review team for City of Flint. This team looked at the city's financial situation.

Emergency Manager Roles

Earley continued to work for the City of Saginaw until he was appointed emergency manager (EM) for Flint in October 2013. He served as EM for Flint from September 2013 until January 2015. During his time as EM, the city decided to switch its water supply. It moved away from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Instead, it joined the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA), a new regional water group.

The water supply for Flint was switched to the Flint River on April 25, 2014. This change led to lead poisoning in the city's water. This event became known as the Flint water crisis. Some people say that joining the KWA led to using the Flint River water. Others say that the decision to leave the Detroit water system was separate from choosing the Flint River as a temporary water source.

Earley was also appointed as the emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools. He started this role on January 13, 2015. At that time, the school system had a large budget problem. It also had fewer students enrolling. The state Democratic Party asked for Earley to be removed from this job in October 2015. They mentioned his time in Flint and the city's water issues.

Earley often had disagreements with the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) union. In late 2015 and early 2016, teachers organized "sickouts." These were protests where teachers called in sick. Earley said these actions were wrong and illegal. In January 2016, the DFT sued the Detroit Public Schools. They claimed that the school system and Earley had allowed conditions to become unsafe. They asked a judge to remove Earley as EM.

Earley announced he would resign on February 2, 2016. His resignation became official on February 29. Jim Ananich, a state senator from Flint, said Earley needed to leave for the sake of the children. The DFT welcomed his resignation. They said Earley had ignored the unsafe conditions in the schools.

Memberships and Awards

Earley has been involved in several professional groups. He served as president of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) from 2009 to 2010. He is also an ICMA Credentialed Manager.

He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He is also a member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. He used to be a member of the National Association of County Administrators.

Earley has received awards for his work. In 2011, he received the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award from Western Michigan University's School of Public Affairs and Administration. In 2015, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Muskegon Community College.

Personal Life

Darnell Earley is an ordained Baptist deacon.

During his time working in Flint and the Detroit Public Schools, Earley lived in Delta Township, Michigan.

He was married to Sandra Faye (White) Earley. She was a teacher and principal in Muskegon Heights Public Schools. She passed away in August 2003.