Detroit could get first taste of new EFM powers, Charter decision could be Bobb's alone

The Detroit Public School system could very well be the first to experience the proposed new powers of Emergency Financial Managers. DPS emergency financial manager Robert Bobb recently suggested converting 41 failing public schools to charter schools. He says this is a better alternative to putting 60 kids in a class.

Today, the decision is up to the elected school board. By the end of the week, the decision could be solely in the hands of former Gov. Granholm appointed Robert Bobb.

The Detroit News March 15:
The Michigan House and Senate this week are reconciling bills that would radically increase the authority of emergency financial managers. The changes called for in the bills would shift control over charter schools to Bobb.

Last week, the state Senate approved a measure that would allow emergency financial managers to throw out union contracts and overrule elected officials in financially distressed municipalities and school districts. Similar legislation passed in the House in February. Once differences are resolved, a final version can be sent to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

The legislation grants emergency financial managers of school districts total authority over academics and curriculum. And that would include charter schools, DPS spokesman Steve Wasko said Monday.

Despite large protests planned in Lansing this week, the Michigan legislature looks poised to pass a bill to give EFMs new and sweeping powers. Governor Snyder has indicated he will sign the bill.

Michigan's first city, Detroit, will most likely be the first to taste the new EFM power's medicine. Detroit Public School's EFM Robert Bobb has to act. He is required by his contract to get the  DPS's financial house in order. The district is hundreds of millions of dollars in the hole. Detroit is poor and despite some signs of economic revival in specific neighborhood's, is getting poorer.

The options for Bobb range from bad to worse. No one wants to put 60 kids in a classroom, but something must be done. Bobb will soon have the power to make unilateral decisions, without the consent of the elected school board.

Whatever Bobb's decision is, who will be held responsible for them in the long term? Bobb's contract ends this year. He has indicated he is not going to stay. He will soon leave Detroit and it's failing public school system behind.

That is the big problem with the GOP backed EFM bill. Whether you you agree with it or not, the bill removes responsibility from elected officials and gives it to an autocratic manager with no responsibility or connections to the communities they affect.

The next two years will allow Detroiters and Michiganians a chance to see if they can stomach this harsh form of fiscal medicine.