Detroit to close half of all public schools, consolidate educational operations

Detroit to close half of all public schools, consolidate educational operations
The embattled Michigan city will shutter the doors of half its schools in an attempt to balance its books

By Peter Finocchiaro

More bad news for Detroit: Michigan education officials have ordered half of the city's public schools closed in order to balance the district's books. Robert Bobb, Detroit's Emergency Financial Manager, is now tasked with implementing a plan that will consolidate educational services.

Bobb confirmed he is working to implement the plan that will shrink the district to 72 schools for a projected 58,570 students in 2014.

The move would vault average class size in the city above 60 students.

Read more on the school closings at The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20110221/SCHOOLS/102210355/Michigan-orders-DPS-to-make-huge-cuts