From The Detroit Free Press: Robert Bobb, emergency financial manager for the Detroit Public Schools, tried to quell some of the fear resulting from a deficit-elimination plan that calls for placing as many as 62 students in a class by 2014. Bobb says class sizes will not balloon to 60 or more children, but he did not say how large they might become. Bobb says he is working on a new budget in which he expects to get savings from sharing some services with the city and the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency.
From The Detroit News: The Detroit school board and the teachers union are exploring whether higher taxes and a longer school year could help stave off a drastic state-ordered plan to eliminate the district's $327 million deficit.
EARLIER....From The Detroit News: Michigan education officials have ordered the Detroit school district to immediately carry out a financial restructuring plan that balances its books by closing half of its schools, swelling high school class sizes to 60 students and consolidating operations. Robert Bobb, the district's emergency financial manager, is meeting with city officials and will set up a meeting with Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency to discuss consolidation opportunities in areas such as finance, public safety, transportation and other areas. Bobb also is preparing a list of recommended school closures.
RELATED....from The Detroit Free Press: The cuts will meet the goal of eliminating the deficit, but Bobb contends the plan is not in the best interest of educating Detroit students and could drive students away. The district has about 74,000 students, down from about 175,000 in 1999. It is expected to drop to about 58,000 students in 2014.
