MichiganRadio

Bobb Lawsuits Begin In Detroit DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - Lawyers for the Detroit School Board and the district's Emergency Financial Manager, Robert Bobb, were back in court Friday.

They were dealing with two separate lawsuits against Bobb. The first has to do with private foundations paying part of Bobb's salary. The School Board, teachers, and some activist groups argue that creates a conflict of interest.

School Board attorney George Washington says Judge Susan Borman "strongly indicated" she would rule against the plaintiffs.

Washington calls that "outrageous." "We can't allow a private company, which has a very definite agenda to dismantle the public schools, to be paying the person who's running the public schools," Washington says.

Attorneys for both sides also argued in another courtroom over whether Bobb has academic control over the district. That lawsuit is likely to take weeks.

The School Board says Bobb oversteps his authority under state law when he makes academic decisions. Bobb's lawyers argue that he can't make financial decisions without also tackling the curriculum.
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