Drastic Cuts Proposed For Detroit Schools

[Zacha341]

Question [[primary to the issue yet not addressed): Why does the DPS deficit 'CONTINUE TO GROW' [[now at $327 million) under Bobb's leadership as EFM?

He [Steve Wasco DPS representative] also said the plan is based on a student population of 58,000 students, instead of the current 74,000, because it's expected the parents will transfer their children to other districts.

[[Oh, duh! What parent would send their kids to DPS with its continual [[now officially SCHEDULED) decline [[eh-er 'restructuring' down to set up with 60 students per class etc.). So again the 'death of a thousand cuts....' DPS is going away...... who's really interested in the kids of Detroit? Are the charters ready? The outer ring suburb districts...?

Article:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/educat...13/detail.html

DETROIT -- State education officials have ordered the emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools, Robert Bobb, to immediately implement a plan that balances the district's books by closing half its schools. Watch: State Proposes Drastic Cuts For Detroit Schools District spokesman Steve Wasko said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan has approved a debit elimination plan created by Bobb that includes closing schools, teacher and staff layoffs and increasing the number of students in a classroom to nearly 60.

Bobb filed his deficit elimination plan with the state in January, saying it would wipe out the district's $327 million deficit by 2014.

The plan also includes no bus service for a large part of the student population, general cuts to extracurricular activities and regional principals instead of one in each school.

Wasko said the cuts are will be a hard loss for students.

"Clearly, those are not preferable educationally. It would not be a better DPS education," he said. "That's why we're working day and night to find an alternative."

Wasko said the implementation of the budget cuts would be gradual over the next three years. He also said the plan is based on a student population of 58,000 students, instead of the current 74,000, because it's expected the parents will transfer their children to other districts.

The Detroit Teachers Union is against the plan.

Angela Goines is the mother of two DPS students.

"It puts a lot of agony in my heart because these babies are really not having a full opportunity to a fair education," she said.

Bobb was hired in March 2009 by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm. His term is set to end in June.

Full Interview: Detroit Schools Financial Manager Robert Bobb