New plan closes fewer schools
March 20, 2007
The ever-evolving plan to close dozens of Detroit schools now calls for shutting 39 this year and possibly another four next year, and sends a warning to 10 others that they would close if goals aren't reached.
The latest version, to be presented to the board's facilities committee at a meeting Wednesday, would save the district $20.4 million, according to a confidential summary.
The proposal adds Murray-Wright High to the closing list, creates schools that serve grades K-12 and 7-12; preserves some low-enrollment, high-achieving schools such as Mark Twain Elementary; and creates 23 themed schools that would focus on disciplines such as environmental science and technology.
And the district, criticized for moving central office staff into expensive leased offices in New Center, would move out of some of that space and into the nearby Barsamian School.
The plan must survive two votes by school board members before it is final. First, the facilities committee will vote Wednesday in a public meeting. If that passes, the full 11-member board would vote the plan up or down -- or modify it -- at a special meeting Friday.
The initial plan, introduced in January, was the most staggering downsizing ever proposed in the nation. It called for closing up to 52 school buildings for about $27 million in annual savings. The district must close schools because enrollment has dropped by 60,000 students in the past decade to about 119,000 this year, and many schools are half empty.
Board members who disagree with parts of the plan could introduce motions to change it Friday, which could lead to more debate and financial analysis, board members said.
Lekan Oguntoyinbo, spokesman for the district, declined to comment on the newest version of the plan "because the board has yet to publicly review it."
Several schools slated for closing could remain open with changes or conditions. For example, Chadsey High would become a 7th through 12th grade school, and Communication & Media Arts High would remain open but could close in 2008 if enrollment and academic targets are not met.
Ken Sharp, president of the parents group at CMA, said the new plan sounded like a better deal for the school, which sends nearly all of its students to college.
"I need to see what the conditions are," he said.
Chris White, a parent who is pushing to save Courtis Elementary, said that the new superintendent, Connie Calloway, who will start July 1, should be allowed to chime in before the list is finalized.
"Why not let the change agent come in and evaluate the plan?"
Contact CHASTITY PRATT at 313-223-4537 or cpratt@freepress.com
Copyright © 2007 Detroit Free Press Inc.
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