Gov. Rick Snyder will ask lawmakers to direct $70 million more a year over a decade to Detroit’s school district to address $715 million in operating debt.
Snyder says if nothing is done and the troubled state-run district has “financial defaults,” Michigan will be on the hook for more in the future. He warned Monday that every other K-12 district would face higher retirement system bills.
Snyder first outlined his plan to divide the district in two nearly six months ago. He expects to propose legislation this month and is hopeful the Republican-controlled Legislature will act by year’s end.
His plan would allow an education manager to close the city’s low-performing traditional or charter schools. Snyder is dropping plans for a mandatory common enrollment system, instead favoring a voluntary approach.