Council, Again, Expected To Vote On DPS Control
Detroit City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday afternoon if an advisory question concerning control of Detroit Public Schools should be placed on the November ballot.
Speaking to WWJ earlier Thursday, Council President Charles Pugh said too much is being made of Council's vote.
"Because, the reality is, the real work that will happen to change our school district, is going to happen in the Michigan legislature," Pugh said.
"Really, whether or not this vote goes up or down today is, I won't say irrelevant, but it's really not the main thrust of what we need to be focused on. We really need to be focused on improving reading levels and improving attendance, and decreasing our dropout rate," he said.
It appears as if the resolution doesn't have enough support to pass, but lobbing of Council members continues on both sides of the emotional issue.
Council's Internal Operations Committee voted three-to-one on Wednesday to put Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown's resolution on whether Detroit voters want to keep the current Detroit school board on the formal agenda.
The matter failed on a technicality Tuesday when council decided 5-4 against placing the schools issue on the agenda. But this time it's coming through a committee.
Committee chair and councilwoman, Brenda Jones, was the lone no-vote.
Thursday's vote was expected to take place at about 4 p.m.
Stay with WWJ for the latest.
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