Detroit Schools Asks To Borrow Millions From State
LANSING (WWJ) - With a $327 million deficit on the books the Detroit Public Schools still needs more help. That's the message from the district's Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb to state lawmakers.
Speaking in Lansing on Wednesday, Bobb said there is an urgent need for legislation that would allow the district to borrow more money to meet payroll and pay other bills.
"This legislation is not a request for a cash infusion of the Detroit Public Schools in any way, whatsoever. And, this legislation does not in any way ask for the school district debt burden to be shifted to the state," he said.
Without more financial assistance, Bobb said the district would have to implement drastic cuts, including reducing the number of schools by half, increasing class sizes to 62 in high schools and boosting fees to play sports.
"We can cut the deficit to zero. But, at the end of the day, what would the school district look like... and we can cite example, after example, after example," Bobb said.
Bobb said that, despite the debt, the district won't file for bankruptcy. DPS hopes borrow more than $200 million in March.
