MichiganRadio

It's Bobb Vs. Board In Fight Over Detroit Public Schools Academics DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - A spokesman for Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb says he'll move ahead with plans to close more than 40 Detroit schools.

But lawyers for the district's elected school board say that would be illegal.

A Wayne County Circuit Judge ruled last week that state law does not give Bobb authority over academics at Detroit Public Schools.
She also ordered Bobb to meet with the School Board before moving ahead with his school closings plan.

District spokesman Steve Wasko says Bobb is more than happy to meet with the Board.
"Mr. Bobb offered a plan, an overture in that regard," Wasko says. "That was rejected by the Board. There's been other overtures since then. Mr. Bobb is not unwilling to consult with the Board."

But lawyers for the district say that consultation will be a farce. They believe Bobb's plan to close schools exceeds his authority because it would hurt academics.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is also pushing Bobb's case in the Michigan Court of Appeals. He's asking that Court to re-consider whether Bobb's authority does extend to academics.
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