Robert Bobb reveals more Detroit Public Schools plans while marking his halfway point (Part 1 of 2)

Given the often controversial media coverage he's received while serving as Emergency Financial Manager of Detroit Public Schools, the very least an audience expects from Robert Bobb is to meet a fast-talking, bombastic dynamo surrounded by fireworks.

It's rather surprising, then, to discover a quiet man with a layered message, who is as soft-spoken as he is serious about education reform.

Wednesday, he laid out a plan to get things back on track for Detroit schools. With each new facet of that plan, audience support for him grew, culminating in a standing ovation.

Appointed in March 2009 by Governor Jennifer Granholm, Bobb has delved into the morass of local urban school mismanagement - financially, academically and safety-wise. Even before arriving in Michigan, Bobb studied five years' worth of documents and seven years of audits and related reports. He even studied two years of media coverage, plotting out state formats and political themes as well as who among Detroiters determines public policy and influence.

Resulting contention from his take-no-prisoners approach of improvement has arisen from some members of the educational community, delivered outspoken critics, and even brought a lawsuit filed against Bobb.

Brushing that aside, Bobb said, "There is no doubt about it: Detroit's school district is in crisis and it is an urban dilemma. What we have had here is the status quo guarding the status quo, long after the status quo has lost its status."

Speaking before a crowd as part of the Arthur L. Johnson Urban Perspectives Lecture Series, Bobb presented his experience to-date with The Detroit Public Schools' Turn-Around Story. The lecture was held in the Community Arts Auditorium at Wayne State University, sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association.

Bobb stressed the need for a sustainable program to prepare students for the future and stop the hemorrhaging of school funds by those guardians who misappropriated their use.

Although he outlined an ambitious undertaking based on key components, he admits he may not be around to see it to fruition. Bobb only serves through an annual contract, although he's covered until March of 2011.

However, he hopes that legislative efforts will secure those improvements, so that in the event of another leadership change, consistent policies will be in place. He worries for the students about a change of procedures due to revolving-door superintendents.

Bobb's pinpointed areas begin with fiscally cleaning house. The Washington, DC expert, who has worked in similar positions from coast to coast, had a whirlwind first two days after this appointment. His first day was spent in Lansing with department heads, the second at the Fisher Building, where finding a bathroom was his first order of business, Bobb says.

A top priority was to bring district bills up to date and establish a base of money.

Just the removal of 300-500 people from health benefit rolls due to illegal enrollment has already saved the district $78 million, he says. That was achieved by simply requiring employees to pick up their checks and verify which people were dead or didn't exist.

Bobb further stresses need for a master academic plan, spotlighting more rigorous curriculum in the classrooms, and adding advanced placement classes for every student. He predicts the implementation of distance learning, dual college-class enrollment for every high school student, and setting higher standards overall.

"Instead of focusing on establishing prep schools, we need to make every high school a prep school to prepare our students for the future," he said. "Every child should read at or above grade level, and we need to vastly improve our retention rates and improve our dropout statistics."

Don't miss Part 2 for Robert Bobb's solutions to better urban education!

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1800-Detroit-City-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m2d25-Robert-Bobb-reveals-more-Detroit-Public-Schools-plans-while-marking-his-halfway-point-Part-2-of-2

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