Detroit Schools to Close and Cut Jobs

Detroit schools may see mass closings and layoffs beginning as soon as this summer and extending into the 2009-2010 school year. Robert C. Bobb, former president of the District of Columbia Board of Education and the state-appointed official in charge of finances of the impoverished school system, explained that the cuts are critical to alleviate the budget deficit and school funding crisis.

Mr. Bobb deemed the cuts as critical and says reform must be quick, rather than incremental. His plan calls for closing 25% of the city’s 194 schools and cutting the jobs of 10% of teachers. Over summer, the plan involves permanently closing 23 schools, which will require transferring over 7,500 students. During the next school year, 30 to 40 additional schools would be closed. This year, the plan calls for 600 teacher layoffs.

The capacity of the school system cannot be supported by current funding that has been impacted by a dwindling student body, little local tax revenue, and poor handling of funds. Over the past decade, enrollment in Detroit schools has fallen by 10,000 students each year. High poverty levels in the district mean little local tax revenue as well. In addition, corruption and mismanagement of existing funds have exacerbated the district’s funding crisis.

Officials hope that reducing the size of the school system will alleviate the deficit and allow critical reforms to be made quickly. Mr. Bobb requested $200 million of Michigan’s $1.5 billion of federal stimulus money, of which $25 million would go to school safety and security, and $81 million to repair and augment buildings to accommodate students from closing schools. Mr. Bobb feels that these changes will not only improve students’ education, but that they will also create jobs for and improve the quality of life for Detroit residents.