Jack Martin
The Detroit Public School District, which has been operating under state control and an emergency manager for five years, is still struggling financially.
Jennifer Chambers of The Detroit News reports that the schools' deficit jumped $39 million in the past 3 months. The deficit is now projected at $120 million.
Emergency Manager Jack Martin told the News he thinks DPS is two to three years away from resolving its deficit. 'I would like to be the last emergency manager,' he said.
The News reports:
Since the state took control March 2, 2009, DPS has shrunk steadily: It lost 37,000 students, shut 100 school buildings and shed 5,000 employees. Annual budgets have been slashed by $500 million in five years. Deficits have risen and fallen; borrowing continues.
DPS partly attributes the rising debt to shortfalls of $10.7 million thisyear in property tax revenue and $21 million in Title I aid. Federal Title I aid goes to schools with lots of low-income students.
