DPS Transition Manager Fields Questions From Detroit School Board

DETROIT (WWJ) - Moving Detroit Public Schools forward, one of several topics discussed Wednesday afternoon, as DPS transition manager and former bankruptcy Judge  Steven Rhodes sat down with the Board of Education.

Rhodes taking questions from board members, opposed to state intervention, in the first face-to-face meeting.

Asked if he would support a forensic audit Rhodes was direct.

"It would be a Herculean task to do a general forensic audit for a chunk of time. Years. Normally when you retain a forensic audit -- it's not only limited in time - it's to look for a specific thing that you are looking for," said Rhodes.

JUST HOW BAD ARE DETROIT SCHOOLS' FINANCES?

Rhodes did say he would support a forensic audit if it were specific, but stated emphatically that the district does not have the funds for the expensive endeavor. "Forensic auditors are extremely expensive," said Rhodes.

The state is looking at plans to pay off the district's estimated $467 million debt. One plan also would provide $200 million in transition funds for a new, separate district that would educate students and have its finances overseen by a commission of state appointees.

The district does not have the money to pay for the desired audit.

The elected board was stripped of its responsibilities in 2009 after the state appointed the first of five emergency managers to fix the district's finances.