Ex-judge says without state money Detroit schools will close

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Steven Rhodes, a former federal bankruptcy judge who is now running the Detroit Public Schools (DPS), said on Friday he is prepared to close the debt-laden district next month if the Michigan Legislature fails to throw it a financial lifeline.

Rhodes was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder last month as transition manager of the state's largest public school district. Lack of funding and mismanagement have left students to learn in cold and dirty classroom conditions.

Asked by Reuters in a telephone interview what he would do if there is no legislative fix, Rhodes was blunt: "Close the schools."

But he also said he had "the greatest confidence" that state lawmakers would take action over the next two weeks to prevent such an outcome. Rhodes cautioned there was no "Plan B" to avoid a shutdown once the district's money runs out on April 8.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-detroit-education-rhodes-idUSKCN0WE00I

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World | Fri Mar 11, 2016 7:36pm EST
BY KAREN PIEROG

[LisaM]

1. "The former judge said he will leave his $18,750-a-month job as the district's transition

...manager once an appointed or elected school board takes control of DPS."


Excuse me, his what-a-month job?

[Massacure]

2. That's a pretty expensive role he has

The median pay for a superintendent is about $110,000, which is essentially what he is -- a glorified superintendent.

[turbinetree]

3. 18,000 a month--------------------really ...................

I hope they get enough signatures to throw Snyder out on his ear, and the majority of the right wing republican legislature and courts



Honk---------------------for a political revolution Bernie 2016

[Divernan]

4. Too bad this news didn't break BEFORE the Michigan primary.

One of Hill's bff's and one of the 10 richest women in America, Penny Pritzger, could have cut them a check for a few million (chump change to her), to sway the voters.

Flint got a little bit of relief, when Hill had her One Percent buddy, Penny Pritzger, come swanning in with a highly publicized, carefully timed half million dollar grant, name after Hillary, to Flint a day or two before the primary. Pretty slick way to avoid the $2700 campaign limit, Penny!

I sincerely hope the Flint mayor got that full half a million in a certified check, cause now that the state primary is over and especially now that Hillary lost, none of Hill's one percent backers will send another red cent to Flint, and I'll bet the farm that Chelsea will not set another Manolo Blahnik clad foot in that town. http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/03/06/chelsea-clinton-flint-mayor-announce-new-jobs-program/81403878/

[davidthegnome]

5. Hmm. Almost 19 grand a month?

Really... and the state needs money? We found some!