Most Detroit Schools Reopening After Power Outage
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The Detroit Public Schools plans to hold classes as scheduled at most schools following power outages that caused early dismissals across the district.
The district said Friday morning that all but four schools had power. Those schools without power are Langston Hughes Academy, Ludington Middle School, Emerson Elementary and Gardner Elementary. For the second day in a row, students from Gardner will once again attend classes at the nearby Jemison Academy.
Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts said the outages have been frustrating.
"The city has had some real challenges in terms of their system and it's caused us ongoing problems. The mayor and I are talking about them, and we'll continue to talk as we try to find ways to get that fixed. They haven't had enough money to do it," said Roberts.
Recent storms and weather-related issues were blamed for outages that forced the early school closures Thursday and left other public buildings without lights for several hours. Problems with Detroit's aging electrical grid also contributed to the outages.
Most power was restored by Thursday evening.
On Thursday, WWJ City Beat Reporter Vickie Thomas spoke with City Councilman James Tate, who said the council is hoping to address what he called "huge problems" with Detroit public lighting. (Read more here)
Meantime, DPS officials said they are welcoming comments about the power outage on their official Facebook fan page.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
