The Latest: Michigan Senate OKs overhaul of Detroit schools
The Michigan Senate has approved a restructuring plan to divide Detroit's financially and academically ailing school district in two and put in place a mechanism to pay off hundreds of millions of dollars in operating debt.
A new school board would be elected in August, a board of state appointees would have oversight of finances and an education commission of mayoral appointees would be empowered to determine if some schools open or close.
Mayor Mike Duggan is supporting state education reform legislation that would divide Detroit's public school system in two and launch a new district with better schools.
A spin-off system of low-performing schools also would be returned to the district and an education commission would be established to regulate openings and closings of all public schools in Detroit.