LANSING – Detroit House Democrats today applauded the Michigan House of Representatives for passing a plan that will ensure Detroit Public Schools retain its first-class school district designation until July 1, 2010, despite the number of pupils in the district. The plan has been a priority for the Detroit Caucus since it was introduced earlier this year.
"This legislation is intended to give DPS and the Legislature some breathing room necessary to enact meaningful reform, without financially crippling the district in the meantime," said State Representative Bert Johnson (D-Detroit), Chair of the Detroit Caucus. "Our intent is to employ a new system of accountability and mode of operation within DPS to enhance its overall performance without allowing the district to be overrun by outside influence."
Under the plan, any district that was rated "first class" as of September 1 will retain that designation through July 1, 2010, in order to give schools time to prepare for changes resulting from the population loss that is occurring in Detroit and across the state. The plan now heads to the Senate.
When first designated a first-class school district, the Detroit Public Schools enrollment exceeded 100,000 students. Detroit Public Schools recently saw a decline in enrollment, which dropped the district below the 100,000-student threshold.
"Detroit has been hit so hard in these tough economic times that even our schools aren't immune from the pain," said State Representative Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit), Vice Chair of the Detroit Caucus. "Protecting Detroit Public Schools' first-class status will give the district the support it needs to get its house in order as we continue to work to build a stronger Detroit. Passing this plan shows our students that we will not abandon them and we will give them every opportunity we can to help them succeed in the classroom, and in life."