DPS reorganization: 59 schools could be chartered, closed or transformed

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

DPS reorganization: 59 schools could be chartered, closed or transformed
3:14 PM, Mar. 30, 2011
BY CHASTITY PRATT DAWSEY
FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER

Students and staff at dozens of Detroit schools may have to find another school soon because their buildings will be closed in the fall under a plan that could also lead to the chartering or closure of as many as 59 buildings by fall, Robert Bobb, the emergency manager for DPS, announced today.

The DPS “Renaissance 2012" plan is a three-part strategy:

• Seven schools will close for sure this summer and one, Osborn High, will close in summer 2012.

• Eighteen schools will be closed unless charter school companies are identified that will take over operations by the fall.

• And 27 schools are also being proposed for conversion to charter; however, those schools will remain open if no operator is identified. A net total of six additional buildings will be closed as new facilities are opened 2011 through 2012 under a $500.5 million bond program.

While dozens of schools are proposed to become charters, Bobb said due to the timeline he would consider it a success to convert five or six of the buildings to charter schools by fall.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20110330/NEWS01/110330008/DPS-reorganization-59-schools-could-chartered-closed-transformed?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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Robert Bobb testing out his new Snydermuscles.

[Bozita]

1. Bobb has acknowledged that much of the savings is in teacher compensation - Detnews

Last Updated: March 30. 2011 3:52PM
Bobb announces 7 DPS school closures, up to 45 charters
Jennifer Chambers and Steve Pardo / The Detroit News

-snip-

Officials say the charter conversion plan would reduce operating costs by an estimated $75 million to $99 million, generate an estimated $21.8 million in lease income from the chartered schools and save about $22 million in costs to close and secure the buildings, DPS officials said.

Under the charter proposal, hundreds of teachers would still be laid off. Charter schools typically offer lower compensation to their teachers, with much lower pension, health care and pay packages. Bobb has acknowledged that much of the savings is in teacher compensation.


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110330/SCHOOLS/103300400/Bobb-announces-7-DPS-school-closures--up-to-45-charters#ixzz1I7YUTjJk

[sulphurdunn]

2. Breaking the code

"Only charter school companies with a proven track record of success will be selected," Bobb said.

Translation: Only the usual highly capitalized and politically connected suspects will be considered.

[Bozita]

3. "The charter schools will be non-union." - Carolyn Clifford, Channel 7 News

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

www.wxyz.com

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

4. That's why they wanted charter shools. JUST TO BUST UNIONS n/t

[LisaM]

5. Robert Bobb is corrupt, and needs to be pushed out NOW.

I do not understand why he is still in this job. The writing is there on the for anyone who cares to read it.

[Bozita]

6. DFT Responds to Proposed School Closings [3.30.11]

http://mi.aft.org/dft231/

DFT Responds to Proposed School Closings <3.30.11>

The DPS proposal to charter 41 schools is a bad idea that should be rejected by the citizens of Detroit and those who want to improve the academic and financial performance of Detroit Schools. (Click above to see plan).

Before we embark on a new academic plan for these schools, the current plan should be given a chance to work. Nine of the schools scheduled to close or turn to charters are Priority Schools. Under new language in our collective bargaining agreement, these Priority Schools have increased flexibility in selecting and retaining staff, additional professional development, extended school day and school year, and shared decision-making at the school level. The staff and students at these schools deserve a chance to let these reforms work.

In the past two years, Detroit Public Schools has reached an unprecedented level of chaos. During the summer of 2009, more than 30 schools were reconstituted and approximately 25 others were closed. In the summer of 2010, 51 schools were designated Priority Schools and another 30 schools were closed. Most of our schools received new principals during this time, and many teachers were moved to new schools.

Many of the same schools reconstituted two years ago and made Priority Schools last fall are now slated to become charter schools. We continue to chase reform by trying each new flavor-of-the month without waiting to see results from the last reform. This lack of stability in our system is counter-productive.

The charter operators will need to pay a rent to DPS and make a profit. This can only be accomplished by reducing pay and benefits for employees, making it harder to attract and retain quality teachers in Detroit schools.

The DPS charter plan does not address the causes of the deficit: nearly $100 million per year for debt service and unfunded special education costs. The burden of these costs would be placed on a smaller district. Two years ago the district operated 200 schools and had deficit of $219 million, or about $1 million per school. With DPS reduced to 100 schools, the current deficit of $327 million will be over $3 million per school.

This plan is not in the best interests of the taxpayers who own the system, the students and teachers, nor the State of Michigan who will be left holding the bag when we reach the inescapable conclusion that a shrinking school district with a growing deficit cannot survive.


more stuff at the link...