No matter what you hear, the numbers are the numbers. We need to deal with those numbers, and determine why, with the funding the Detroit Public School system received, they are in such dire financial straits.

The Michigan Department of Education has published a chart showing the Detroit Public School system’s funding since 2006 - 2007.  The 2006 – 2007 school year was the last school year the Detroit Public School system did not spend more money than they received.

Courtesy of Michigan Department of Education
Courtesy of Michigan Department of Education
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As you can see, the Detroit Public School system received far more money than the state average in each of those years.  The question is, why with such high funding, when compared to the rest of the state, did DPS get in the situation they are in?

Part of the answer is they never adjusted to the financial situation they were in.  Did they not see any of these financial problems coming?  Or did they just decide to ignore them, knowing that the rest of Michigan will bail them out?  If any organization knows they will be bailed out regardless of their actions, then they will never attempt to fully correct the situation they are in.

We need to keep that in mind as we decide, and support what controls must be put in place when we once again bail out the Detroit Public School system.  Just handing them hundreds of millions of dollars with no controls or boundaries is not going to fix any of the underlying issues.

Let’s talk about this today on The Live with Renk Show which airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. To let me know your thoughts during the show please call (269) 441-9595.

Or please feel free to start a discussion and write your thoughts in the comment section.

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