POWIP Piece of Work In Progress – Former Abode of Dan Collins

While Detroit Shutters Half Its Public Schools

Chris Matthews can't get the facts straight about Walker:

Swift and severe changes are coming to Detroit Public Schools.

State education officials have ordered Robert Bobb to immediately implement a financial restructuring plan that balances the district's books by closing half of its schools, swelling high school class sizes to 60 students and consolidating operations.

This week, Bobb, the district's emergency financial manager, said he is meeting with Detroit 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 and Friday said layoff discussions are under way and would be announced closer to April, when notices would be issued. "We are moving forward with the plan," he said "Right now my focus is on my transition plan and the DEP (deficit elimination plan)."

Bobb's last day with DPS is June 30. After that, the state plans to install another financial manager who must continue to implement Bobb's plan, according to a Feb. 8 letter from Mike Flanagan, the state superintendent of public instruction.

In the letter, Flanagan said the Michigan Department of Education gave preliminary approval to Bobb's plan to bring the 74,000-student district out of its financial emergency. As a condition of approval, Flanagan said Bobb cannot declare the district in bankruptcy during the remainder of his contract.

Bobb was appointed by departed Governor Jennifer Granholm. Obama has in the past been said to have been considering Granholm as an economic adviser, or for possible appointment to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Obama's been caught flat-footed again with respect to Libya, where he presumably approves democracy more than he does in Madison. Also meanwhile, the Proggs think that everyone would agree with them if they could just find a way to get their message out.

In related news, NOAA rebuts Al Gore's claim that recent snowfalls have resulted from Global Warming.

Dan Collins

Dan Collins is a dude who blogs. He used to blog elsewhere. Now he blogs here.

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