Bobb Plan: Make Failing Schools Into Charter Schools
DETROIT (WWJ) - A radical new plan for Detroit Public Schools introduced Saturday by DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb would restructure 41 academically failing schools into charter schools. It's called "Renaissance Plan 2012."
DPS spokesman Steve Wasco tells WWJ's Chrystal Knight the proposal would keep schools from closing and reduce operating costs by an estimated 75 to 99 million dollars. If the proposal goes through 16-thousand students would be affected.
These schools come offline from the DPS budget perspective Wasco notes.
"Many of these schools are the schools that every year when it comes to school closings have to grit their teeth and say are we going to be on the list this year or next year or will Mr. Bobb come after us next year. we believe this will give them firmer academic and financial footing," says Wasco.
These are some of the highlights of Bobb's proposed plan:
- No students will be relocated from their current schools.
- No additional vacant and boarded schools will impact Detroit neighborhoods.
- Immediate budget savings will be realized.
The identified schools will be announced this week.
"DPS would still have oversite and be able to ensure academic quality moving forward and would also keep the buildings as property they would be leased out," says Wasco.
