Freddie Neal

"I have no doubt (MSU) will do a good job, but I just hate to see Marygrove not be a part of it," said Freddie Neal, principal of Detroit's Barton Elementary School, which received a one-year grant through Skillman's Good Schools program. Marygrove is based in Detroit and staffers gave his school ample attention, offered prompt answers and invited staff and students to the college, he said.

Fred Neal, principal at Barton Elementary, predicted that the budget problem would be solved once an elected board, with more transparency in the budgeting process, is in place.

"We have to ask why people are leaving," Neal said.