Gov. Snyder: Helping pay off Detroit schools' $750 million debt better than alternative

[Demeter]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2015/10/gov_snyder_helping_pay_off_det.html

Gov. Rick Snyder sat down for an interview with WDIV-TV, Channel 4 News "Flashpoint" host Devin Scillian that aired Sunday. VIDEO AT LINK

Snyder was asked about a number of issues, including the Flint water dilemma, his plan to revamp Detroit schools and the new road funding plan.

Detroit Schools

Snyder's plan to revamp Detroit schools and address its crippling $750 million debt involves creating an entirely new district that would handle school operations. Detroit Public Schools, and its School Board, would remain for the sole purpose of paying the debt. The new district would have a school board appointed by the governor and Mayor Mike Duggan, with all of the members becoming elected officials by 2021.

Snyder said the plan takes about $50 per student statewide to deal with the Detroit problem and puts about $1,100 per student back into Detroit classrooms. Although the state is sharing Detroit's burden, Snyder said it would be much worse if Detroit Public Schools went bankrupt. He said this would put an estimated $1 billion pension liability on schools statewide.

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