GARY, Ind. (AP) _ The Gary school district is bringing in a Michigan-based financial expert to help it deal with a $23.7 million deficit and total debt of roughly $92 million.

The (Munster) Times (http://bit.ly/1I91Odr ) reports the Gary Community School Corp. chose Jack Martin on Tuesday night out of three specialists recommended by the Distressed Unit Appeals Board. The district had 21 days to make their choice of the three under state legislation.

Martin's firm in Bingham Farms, Michigan, has worked with Detroit Public Schools, the city of Detroit and others in restructuring finances.

Gary schools have seen mounting financial troubles that have been attributed to declining enrollment and decreased state funding, among other reasons.