http://www.freep.com/article/20100726/NEWS01/100726050/1318/Official-Let-voters-decide-mayors-role-with-DPSPOSTED: 6:33 P.M. JULY 26, 2010
Education chief: Let voters decide mayor's role with DPS
BY CHASTITY PRATT DAWSEY
FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said last year the Detroit Public Schools were ground zero for public education and the district’s crises kept him up at night, but today he said the system faces a “tremendous” opportunity.
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Duncan said he is hopeful partly due to the public discussion about giving the mayor authority over the DPS. He is encouraging Detroit and other big cities to consider this path, saying that, with broad support, it can work.
Tuesday’s Detroit City Council meeting could be the third and final chance for a vote on whether to place a non-binding question on the November ballot asking Detroiters whether the mayor should have authority over DPS. If the issue gets on the ballot and voters approve, the state Legislature would then have to pass a law to hash out the details.
It’s “common sense” to let voters decide, Duncan said. “What’s the downside to letting people’s voices be heard?” he asked. “For children to reach their full potential and ultimately for the city reach its full potential, you need to rally the entire city behind these efforts.”
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