State Superintendent Confident Detroit Schools Can Get Back on Track ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - The state has declared a "serious financial problem" in the Detroit Public Schools. The designation was made by state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. It could eventually result in the appointment of an emergency financial manager to make decisions for the district.

Flanagan made his decision after meeting with district officials Tuesday to discuss plans to eliminate a $408 million budget deficit. He says he's confident Michigan's largest school district can get back on track financially.

"Their plan calls for 900
non-instructional layoffs, it calls for 700 or 800 teacher layoffs," Flanagan said, "There's no question to get control of this very tough decisions have to be made. But I think they're up to it and when they do that then this is an opportunity to maybe re-imagine the way we deliver education in the city anyway."

If no agreement is reached between a review team and the school board, Flanagan could ask Governor Jennifer Granholm to appoint a financial manager. Flanagan stressed the action is NOT a state takeover of the district. © Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio