The Senate has introduced two bills
aimed at reforming Detroit Public Schools, on the heels of State Budget
Director John Roberts announcing the state will present it’s preferred method
of paying off DPS’ debt at the governor’s budget presentation.
SB
710 and SB
711 do not identify a funding source in their language. SB 710 does,
however, create a new community district to assume the operations of DPS, who
would maintain a separate identity for levying taxes and paying debt. Once
fully repaid, DPS would dissolve, but the current school board would be
operational pending a newly elected board. An appropriation of $250,000 from
the General Fund is included, but Senate officials said it is likely to be $250
million. There also is a provision regarding mandatory closures of certain
schools if said schools are among the lowest 5 percent of all public schools in
the state for three of the preceding five school terms.
SB 711 instead defines a “qualified
school district” in the hopes of maintaining the old DPS to repay debts. It
also establishes the financial review commission that will oversee the new
Detroit Community Schools district. Both bills were sent to the Senate
Government Operations Committee.