Michigan’s top education official says the state should help Detroit Public Schools pay down its massive debt. The governor and state lawmakers are discussing ways to turn around the district - which is almost $500 million in debt. The district spends $53 million a year on debt service.State Superintendent Mike Flanagan spoke about the issue on the Michigan Public Television program “Off the Record.”
“I’ve put in my budget all the way back to Governor Granholm $200 million a year to support the debt in Detroit. And I’m glad they’re finally trying to step up to it," he says.
Flanagan says paying off the district’s debt would free up tens of thousands of dollars for every classroom in Detroit. He’s retiring at the end of this month after a decade serving as state superintendent.
