Without restructuring, Detroit district would have to close nearly half of its schools

From The Detroit News: Detroit Public Schools would have to close nearly half of its schools in the next two years, and increase high school class sizes to 62 by the following year, under a deficit-reduction plan filed with the state. The plan, part of a monthly update that Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb gives the Department of Education, provides insight into Bobb's progress in his attempt to eliminate a $327 million deficit over the next several years. Under it, the district would slim down from 142 schools now to 72 during 2012-13. That would leave the district with a projected 58,570 students, down from about 74,000 now. Bobb already has closed 59 schools in the past two years.

EARLIER...from The Detroit News: Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb is considering a financial restructuring plan that would divide the district in two to deal with a $327 million deficit. The plan would put the district's debt obligation with an "old district," covering about 9,000 students and use state revenue to pay it off, spokesman Steve Wasko says. The district has about 84,000 students total.