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DPS' Roy Roberts Plans To Turn District Around

DETROIT (WWJ) - More parental involvement and total community support. Those are two of the ways incoming Detroit Public Schools emergency manager Roy Roberts says he'll turn around the district.

WWJ's Interview with Roy Roberts:

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Speaking live on WWJ, Thursday morning, Roberts said he wants to give the district's best teachers a chance to shine. "If we have teachers that can leap tall buildings we don't want to stand on their capes. If we have others that have a deficiency of knowledge or know-how, we have to make sure they have the tools to get the job done. If we have some that just don't care and can't do the job, we'll remove them from the system," said Roberts.

The incoming emergency manager for the district admits he doesn't have a firm turnaround plan yet, but says he knows that one key to improvement is instilling pride in both students and teachers.

"I want us to get to a point in this community where teachers can walk with their heads high and be respected, and we're only going to do that by performing, getting the job done. And we're going to put accountability in place so people will do that and can do that," he said.

Roberts also tells WWJ that it's time for parents and others to stop sitting on the sidelines. "I decided not to do that because I think it's a wrong thing to do. This problem is bigger than the city of Detroit, it' a national problem," says Roberts, adding, "I'm not foolish enough to believe that I can change the culture or the environment, but we're going to try to impact everything we can that impacts that student's life."

Appointed by Governor Rick Snyder, Roy Roberts will take over for current Detroit Public Schools emergency financial manager Robert Bobb whose contract runs out in June. Roberts, a former General Motors exec, currently is managing director of a private equity investment firm.

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