The
House passed a revised plan to address the Detroit Public Schools financial dilemma.
The
proposal includes $150 million in transition costs, and does not include the
Detroit Education Commission (DES). However, an advisory board would be put
into place to write reports on where schools are needed and potentially would
explore a district-wide transportation system. The advisory board would consist
of traditional and charter school representatives. The proposal maintains the
splitting of the district, as well as allowing the School Reform/Redesign
Office to continue to close schools with its current rankings, but having the
new district transition into A-F rankings. The plan would have school board
elections in November of 2016 and allow the school board to conduct collective
bargaining with teachers. Teachers and school administrators will be paid based
on performance.
Senate
Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) commented that he thinks he will
be able to muster the 19 votes necessary to pass this proposal in the Senate.
House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) maintains the proposal is
inadequate, and should include more input from Detroit legislators.
Meanwhile,
attendees at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference announced strong
support for SB
710 and the Senate plan. John Rakolta from Walbridge, a Detroit
construction firm, commented Detroit’s redevelopment could hinge on the passage
of SB 710. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also spoke saying the school issues
threaten the stability of the city, and he fears citizens will begin to question
why they remain in Detroit, without a solution to their problems.