Detroit Financial Manager Tours Schools As Classes Start
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit Public Schools emergency manager Roy Roberts went back to the classroom Tuesday morning to visit four of the city's schools as the fall semester began.
Roberts' tour included Nichols and Stewart elementary schools, Renaissance High School and GEE White Academy. The academy is a newly authorized charter school in the district.
WWJ City Beat Reporter Vickie Thomas caught up with Roberts at Nichols Elementary School, where he was greeting parents dropping off their children.
Roberts said his goal is to stop the continued decline in student enrollment.
"On the first day of teaching and learning, my biggest concern is will all the students show up, because I am absolutely convinced that the teachers and principals are prepared and ready for the students. And here at this school, I'm excited to see a lot of parents are bringing their kids to school," he said.
"It's absolutely critical, and we called them back to work early to get involved in encouraging students to come to school and talking about advantages in our school system, and keeping students off the streets, in school and learning," Roberts said.
Enrollment in the shrinking district is expected to tumble to about 66,360 students this academic year, down from 74,000 in the spring. About 104,000 students attended Detroit Public Schools in 2007.
Roberts, a former General Motors Co. executive, was appointed in May by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder to oversee the district's finances and wipe out a $327 million budget deficit.
"It's been three months. I think two weeks ago I started to really enjoy it and love it. I'm starting to have fun. I've done a lot of things in my career but I've got to tell you, this is absolutely the most meaningful thing that I could do, and I'm glad to be a part of it," Roberts said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
