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DPS To Identify 45 'Renaissance Schools' Slated For Turnaround

DETROIT (WWJ) - On Wednesday we will find out what Detroit Public Schools will be converted to charter schools under Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb's turnaround plan.

The announcement, expected Wednesday afternoon, and will identify 45 schools that will be restructured instead of being closed. Those schools have had low academic performance, low or declining enrollment, high operational costs, poor physical conditions, or a combination of those.  

Bobb will discuss the process to issue a Request for Proposals for proven charter school operators under the DPS Renaissance 2012 plan. The Renaissance plan seeks to transform the schools so they can remain open and continue to serve Detroit's families.

The district's state-mandated Deficit Elimination Plan requires 70 schools to be closed over two years. Instead of closing 45 schools this fall, the district would authorize schools to be converted to charters, allowing many poor-performing schools to undergo an academic transformation and stay open.

The Renaissance plan supports the district's state-mandated Deficit Elimination Plan by reducing operating costs by $75-$99 million and represents a dramatic new approach to declining enrollment for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

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