$198-million deficit is looming over district
Parents and other city residents were enraged Monday after Detroit Public Schools announced it will have to cut 4,000 jobs and close as many as 40 of the district's 255 schools due to the latest projected budget crisis.
Some charged that the appointed school board, rejected just two weeks ago by voters who want to elect their board, were trying to ruin the district in the wake of the voters' victory. The elected board takes office in 2006.
Others were flabbergasted by what they called poor leadership and worried about where their children will go. Some said the school closings in particular could just lead more students to leave the city district. The school closings are to be announced in January.
"You're kidding?" said David Lyons, as he waited to pick up his grandson from Fairbanks Elementary, a school with low enrollment. on the city's west side. "We looked all over the city to get this school. They have all-day day-care.
http://www.freep.com/news/education/dps16e_20041116.htm