LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Latest on legislation to bail out Detroit’s debt-ridden school district (all times local):
12:50 a.m.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is hailing a $617 million bailout and restructuring of the debt-ridden Detroit Public Schools as an “unprecedented investment” in educating the city’s children.
In a statement early Thursday, the governor says a newly launched district will be debt-free and state emergency managers will no longer be needed. He is expected to sign the legislation that narrowly won final approval from the Republican-led Legislature early in the morning, despite objections from Democrats that it won’t regulate charter schools with a significant presence in the city.
Snyder says the plan is a “fresh start” that will put more money in the classrooms, provide stability for teachers and fiscal accountability.
The district is in danger of running out of money this summer without financial assistance.
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12:15 a.m.
Michigan lawmakers have approved a $617 million bailout of Detroit’s debt-ridden school district.
The Republican-controlled House narrowly passed some final pieces of the restructuring package early Thursday, nearly a week after the chamber gave the measure initial approval. The bills now head to Gov. Rick Snyder for his expected signature.
The rescue comes two years after the state helped bail out Detroit’s municipal government as part of its bankruptcy case.
The ailing district has been managed by the state for seven years, during which it has continued to grapple with plummeting enrollment and recent teacher sick-out protests.
Under the legislation, the district would be split in two, and control would be returned to an elected school board.
The new debt-free district would educate students. The old district would retire $617 million in debt over roughly 8 ½ years.
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11:35 p.m.
Michigan senators have approved a $617 million bailout of Detroit’s debt-ridden school district.
The Republican-controlled Senate narrowly passed the restructuring package late Wednesday, nearly a week after House passage. The bills soon will reach Gov. Rick Snyder for his expected signature as long as the House OKs some changes, likely later in the night.
The rescue comes two years after the state helped bail out Detroit’s municipal government as part of its bankruptcy case.
The ailing district has been managed by the state for seven years, during which it has continued to grapple with plummeting enrollment and recent teacher sick-out protests.
Under the legislation, the district would be split in two and control would be returned to an elected school board.
The new debt-free district would educate students. The old district would retire $617 million in debt over roughly 8½ years.
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10:15 p.m.
The Michigan Senate is preparing to pass a $617 million bailout of Detroit’s debt-ridden school district.
The chamber began considering the legislation late Wednesday after enough majority Republicans backed it. Amendments are planned, which means the House will need to OK the changes later in the night.
The rescue comes two years after the state helped bail out Detroit’s municipal government as part of its bankruptcy case.
The ailing district has been managed by the state for seven years, during which it has continued to grapple with plummeting enrollment and recent teacher sick-out protests.
Under the legislation, the district would be split in two and control would be returned to an elected school board.
The new debt-free district would educate students. The old district would retire $617 million in debt.
