DPS' Roberts Focused On Transforming The District
DETROIT (WWJ) - The new Emergency Financial Manager of the Detroit Public Schools spent his first day of work at school.
Former General Motors executive Roy Roberts, Monday, walked the halls of Marcus Garvey Academy, a K-8 school that went from 290 to 700 last year after three schools merged.
Roberts said he has no time for nonsense, because he's focused on transforming the district.
"All the other stuff is gonna roll off my back. And if anybody wants my time, if you're talking about educating kids, young people in this school system, than you can probably get some of my time," he said.
Speaking to reporters at the school, Roberts said he's focused on two major issues. He wants the kids to hit the books, while he works to balance them.
"Immediately continue to educate the kids and elevate it. Not tomorrow, today, because kids deserve it today. And every day that we don't do it, we hurt students. Number two -- over time, a little longer-term -- we've got to learn how to balance our financial budget," he said.
"You can't take in a dollar and spend a dollar-fifty-cents. You don't do that in your household. I don't know any household that can do that. I can't do it in my household," Roberts said.
"We've got to get in balance, and we've gotta make sure that we Detroit Public Schools, that we don't have a Rodney Dangerfield kind of mentality. I want us to stand up. I want us to perform. I want us to be proud and be excellent in everything that we do," he said.
Marcus Garvey Academy Principal James Hearn was impressed with what Roberts had to say.
"He looks like and sounds like a formidable man. And he has a singular focus," Hearn said.
The district is facing a $440 million budget deficit. The 72-year-old Roberts takes over for Robert Bobb, an appointee of former Governor Jennifer Granholm.
Hear more of what Roberts had to say (Raw Video):
