Detroit to Close One-Quarter of Schools

(AP)  Doors are expected to shut on more than a quarter of Detroit's 172 public schools in June as the district fights through steadily declining enrollment and a budget deficit of more than $219 million, an emergency financial manager said Wednesday.

Three aging, traditional and underpopulated high schools would be among the 44 closures. Another six schools are to be closed in June 2011, followed by seven more a year later, emergency financial manager Robert Bobb said. This summer's closings also include a support building.

The closures are part of a $1 billion, five-year plan to downsize a struggling district while improving education, test scores and student safety in a city whose population has declined with each passing decade. The 2010 U.S. Census is expected to show that far fewer than 900,000 people now live in Detroit.

District data shows full-time, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade enrollment has decreased from about 164,500 in 2002-03 to 87,700 for the current school year. Enrollment is projected to dip to 56,500 in 2014-15.

Fewer than half the classroom seats in dozens of buildings are filled.

"This creates a leaner, smarter DPS by taking into account citywide demographic trends," Bobb told reporters, some parents and administrators at King High School. "We're still going to grow the district. We're going to do it realistically."

Other cities face similar woes. The Kansas City, Mo., school district announced plans last week to shut down nearly half its schools by the start of classes in the fall.

Bobb already had ordered 29 Detroit schools closed before the start of classes last fall. The district closed 35 buildings about three years ago.

Several community meetings to get input from parents will be held before final decisions on the schools' fates are made in late April.

Many of the buildings eventually will be demolished, while others may be sold. The plan also calls for renovations to some to accommodate newer programs and more students.

Some new and renovated schools will house grade levels from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Others will educate students starting in pre-kindergarten through high school. But new building configurations will ensure younger students don't encounter older students, Bobb said.

Several collegiate-style campuses containing separate buildings for various grade levels also will be created.

Thousands of students will be forced to transfer to open schools, and that's expected to anger parents. But Bobb hopes to convince them that the closures, along with a recently released five-year plan that calls for more rigorous academics, is best for the district.

"Every school should be an excellence school," he said.

The facilities plan will be implemented in two phases. The first is funded by a voter-approved bond sale of $500.5 million. The second calls for voter approval on a second $500 million bond sale "assuming citizens take an active role in a new bond measure in the future," Bobb said.

It's not known if Bobb will be around for the start of the plan's second phase. He was appointed by Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm last March to straighten out the district's finances. His contract ends in March 2011.

[Mother2Five]

Some times things just need to come to an end so that there can be a new start. Throwing money at the Detroit schools was a waste. Now with some level headed leaders maybe new schools with teachers who love to teach will grow where the old schools passed away. This could be a good thing.

[addict42]

People will be flocking back to Michigan in the future when states like Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico run out of water. Plus right now is the best time for adventurous self starters and pioneering biz types to move to Detroit and begin a business. Real estate prices are rock-bottom and much more afforadable than in other cities.

[dwilson59]

If going back to michigan please bring your guns you will need it in Detroit.

[usadvisor101]

detroit is history, it will never be what it use to be.once the flagship of the nation in modern highways and industry(not just automotive either)one example of hundreds in Dtown... back in 87 the michigan central station was still a beau arts master piece of architecture, now drive by it and it is absolutely deplorable. looks like it was hit with a b52 strike. in less than 20 years the locals and gangs ruined it. just like all the old stores, factories and mansions. a combination of events led to its demise. the 68 riots chased out the working class whites and store owners. then came decades of corrupt leaders,job losses,welfare reliant citizens with zero concern for helping out the neighborhoods they live in for free. sad very sad. the good news is the rest of the state is decent overall. get over to the west side and up north and you still have some great communities and beauty

[SevenAngryFreds]

America has been in a downward spiral for over 20 years. It could be compared to Nazi Germany in late 1944. The Power Elite knew they had to bug out, so they looted everything they could and snuck out to Spain and South America. Today the Power Elite are bugging out to places safe and comfortable as the decomposition of America starts to smell worse. The American Middle Class and the Poor are recognized by the Power Elite with the same regard as the American Middle Class see cattle grazing in a field. Just a commodity to be harvested and consumed at will. So what if the nation built by our Founding Fathers is self-destructing?? OK as long as somebody has a vault full of gold coins.

[squeakof2006]

I too, hail from Michigan. I plan on leaving before the ink on my diploma is dry. I'm working on becoming a teacher, yet everyone seems to be laying off their teachers, cutting their programs, shuttering their schools in MI. Maybe things will be better down south. Last one out, turn off the lights, lock the gate, send the key to Washington, D.C. About the only thing left here is crumbling infrastructure laying on top of crumbled lives and dreams.

[patocc123]

So let me get this straight as enrollment in the schools go down from 88,000 to 56,000 then the amount of teachers and administrative personnel it takes to run schools are being decreased.

Something that actually makes since.

I would be more concerned if they didn't cause if there is anything that can be seen in government programs is that once you give someone something it takes twice as much effort to take it away without the cry of bloody murder.

[tsigili]

"Last one to leave Michigan, turn out the lights!" I remember that slogan from the 70's, as the energy crisis impacted heavily on the auto industry. Now it is coming round again, but this time, there may be a very limited rebound, at least in Michigan.

[rightbehind]

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. The results of reaganomics "the race to the bottom" and every child left behind. It seems lining pockets on wallstreet is more important than the education of our kids. We need to get the double dippers and retired before the age of 56 off the back of the tax payers to. If state can't afford it they can't afford it. Let the accounts go bankrupt. The police didn't care much about protecting the incomes of ordinary working people. Keep giving tax breaks to the wealthy. Pathetic!

[RedWings_ninety_one]

Here's the thing, I live in Michigan...The main reason that the state cannot afford to keep these schools open is due to former Governer Engler, who spent millions in state money right before he left office, then left the state when his term was up. We cannot afford very much, the state is cutting scholarships, school funding, police station allowances, and back roads are allowed to turn back into gravel because they are cheaper to maintain. This state has the highest unemployment rate in the US. Only a nerd can bring us back and "reinvent Michigan". So that's why, come this november, Jennifer Grandholm will be out of office and I will be voting for Rick Snyder. Jennifer Grandholm did not know how to properly handle this crisis, but Rick Snyder has more than enough experience with his entrepenurial background. However, I know you probably don't care about most of what I'm stating. But the jist of it is at the beginning.

[hateisafourletterword]

But it sure was fun watching Ronald make a horses rightbehind out of Sam Donaldson wasn't it?

Yes it was fun rightbehind!

[vietnamwar]

Remember when Congress got all up in the grilles of Detroit automaker chief executives for traveling to Washington in luxury courtesy of the companies private jets? It appears our lawmakers are less than perfect when it comes to sourcing their own cost-effective transportation, as Politico is reporting that at least 10 members of the House of Representatives have monthly vehicle leases that exceed $1,000 per month in taxpayer money.

But those leases, they're for specialized, bulletproof SUVs to keep our elected officials safe, right? Well, not so much. A little digging from Politico shows that members of Congress just don't know how to shop around. Of the top five lease prices listed, the most exorbitant monthly outlay at least appears to come with the best excuse. Missouri Democrat Emanuel Cleaver pays a reported $2,900 a month for a mobile office equipped with wifi and a wheelchair lift. Representative Cleaver justifies the hefty price tag by arguing that he uses the vehicle as his mobile office, foregoing the off-site office many other representatives have. Oh, and the mobile office runs on used cooking oil.

Other congressmen have less credible excuses, but it apparently isn't stopping them from giving it the old college try. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) $1,628 to lease a GMC Yukon. Reyes blames short lease terms and fuel efficiency regulations on the high lease prices. Meanwhile, we suspect that every other American with decent credit can choose from dozens of CUVs or SUVs with 24-month leases for less than $600 per month.

Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.) rolls in a $1,230 per month Chevrolet Tahoe. A spokesperson for Cheeks Kilpatrick claims the 13th District rep. leases the vehicle because General Motors headquarters resides within her district. Ironically, Cheeks Kilpatrick's son, Kwame Kilpatrick, the former Detroit mayor who left office in disgrace after being found guilty of perjury, caught plenty of flack a few years back for spending $1,000 per month for a taxpayer-funded Lincoln Navigator.

Rep. Harry Teague (D-N.M.), reportedly worth more than $36 million dollars, pays $1,266 per month for a Chevrolet Malibu. That's right, folks, a Malibu. Not a bad vehicle by any stretch, but $1,266 per month? Really? Other high lease offenders include Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), who rides in a $1,259 per month hybrid Toyota Highlander, Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), who trolls the St. Louis streets in $1,059 a month Ford Escape hybrid and Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) with his $1,026 per month Mercury Mariner hybrid. Not to be left out, Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) apparently also spends $1,143 every month for an unspecified leased vehicle, and multimillionaire Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) leases a Lexus RX400h for $843 taxpayer-funded dollars a month, reportedly arguing that he needs the vehicle's bigger accomodations because he's over six-feet tall and has to make an hourlong commute twice a week.

Head over to Politico to read more about congress and the expensive vehicles they lease on your dime. We're thinking there are thousands of Autoblog readers who can help their congressmen procure a more cost effective lease vehicle than some of the ridiculous prices you just read about. Any volunteers?

[vietnamwar]

priority one HEALTHCARE REFORM.....