The ailing district has been managed by the state for seven years, during which it has grappled with plummeting enrollment and, more recently, teacher sick-out protests. It wasn’t clear when there would be a House vote. The Senate had backed $200 million in spending to launch a new district, the House $33 million.
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The House Republican plan, which hadn’t changed since it was first proposed Wednesday, would send $467 million to the Detroit Public Schools to pay off debt and provide a $150 million to pay for transition costs to a new district.
A spokesman for GOP Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof called the bills a “realistic compromise”, while Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s spokesman said their approval was “good progress… that can lead to a sustainable and successful education system”.
The Senate could vote as early as Tuesday.
Emergency aid previously approved will run out by June 30. “Republicans are making it clear who they serve: charter school operators, not children”. More than half of students living in the city attend a charter school or suburban district, prompting criticism that charters have opened largely unchecked, to the detriment of the district.
Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon says the schools wanted an analysis of their work in Detroit because the city’s success is “so critical for the future of Michigan”. He said academic proficiency is abysmal in both DPS schools and charters.
“We know that charters are the most successful and produce the best results in cities where there is a mechanism like the Detroit Education Commission to hold all schools accountable and contribute to the rational opening and closing of schools”, Baruah said, in a statement.
The mayor pointed out that some charter school leaders in Detroit have expressed support for a stronger oversight entity. Schools consistently given an “F” would be closed. It would have the final say on when superintendents are fired and would approve operating budgets.
The Michigan House may vote on a $617 million bailout and restructuring of Detroit’s school district under a proposed compromise circulated to majority Republicans.
“Why would we assume that this will have a positive impact on student outcomes?” he said.
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The main bill was passed by the narrowest margin, 55-53, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.
