Education Achievement Authority of Michigan Appoints Veronica Conforme as Chancellor

DETROIT, Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Education Achievement Authority of Michigan's (EAA) Board of Directors selected Veronica Conforme as the new Chancellor today. Conforme, who has served as Interim Chancellor since June 2014, said she will use her position to ensure that EAA students receive the education they deserve.

"I am honored to have been appointed Chancellor and am grateful to the Board of Directors for their confidence in me," Conforme said. "It is absolutely critical that the EAA succeed in providing a new direction for our children's education."

As Interim Chancellor, Conforme has spent countless hours visiting schools and attending community meetings, asking principals, teachers, parents, and students what is working and what is not.

She said she will present a plan to the public within 30 days outlining the steps she will take to improve the schools and the administration of the EAA.

"Now it is time to act," Conforme said. "Our children's future is resting on our shoulders, and it is crucial that we not let them down. We don't have time to waste."

Conforme said that her highest priorities will be providing students with a safe and positive learning environment; boosting academic performance and improving the internal operations of the EAA.

In her four months as Interim Chancellor, Conforme ordered a sweeping, top-to-bottom assessment of EAA's operations to determine what needed improvement — a strategy she will continue as Chancellor. "We are wiping the slate clean to give us a fresh start for the future," she said.

Conforme also revamped the EAA credit card and travel policy and hired a new Chief Operating Officer and Special Education Director. Recently, the EAA exceeded its student enrollment goals for the 2014-2015 school year.

"The Board has been extremely impressed with Ms. Conforme's leadership, community outreach, organization strategies and forward thinking," said EAA Board Chairwoman Joyce Hayes Giles. "After a national search, we have no doubt she is the right person to lead the EAA and we are fortunate to have her as our Chancellor."

Conforme said it is imperative that the EAA community be part of her efforts. "The support of our families, teachers, staff and the community is essential in moving the EAA in a new direction," Conforme said. "No one person can improve our schools — it will take all of us, working together."

Background on Conforme
Conforme is an impassioned advocate for students and has spent years working to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education.

She served at the New York City Department of Education for more than a decade, culminating in her appointment as Chief Operating Officer. She oversaw a $23 billion budget and 130,000 employees, directing organizational strategy, finance, technology, family and community engagement, fundraising, operations and communications. She was also Chief Financial Officer and the Deputy Chief Schools Officer, overseeing the day-to-day activities of the city's 1,700 public schools.

Before coming to the EAA, she served as Vice President for the "Access to Opportunity" campaign at The College Board. Conforme led a campaign to ensure that students from low-income backgrounds participated in Advanced Placement courses and enrolled in colleges equipped to succeed.

Conforme lives in Detroit with her husband. She earned her bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and holds a master's degree in public administration and public policy from Columbia University.

Background on the EAA
The Education Achievement Authority of Michigan is a reform district created via a 2011 interlocal agreement between Detroit Public Schools and Eastern Michigan University. The EAA oversees 15 schools — nine elementary/middle schools (of which three are charter schools) and six high schools.

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SOURCE Education Achievement Authority of Michigan