"Scheming" in Detroit

I've previously posted about Robert Bobb (Broad class of 2005), the current emergency manager of the Detroit Public Schools. In hearings around some of Bobb's actions, the School Committee's attorney had some strong words about what Bobb has been up to:

School board attorney George Washington says Bobb cooperated with private foundations and charter school backers to draft a plan that calls for a mayoral takeover, and for replacing traditional schools with charter schools.

"Somebody who comes in as an emergency financial manager should not be scheming behind the back of the people to overturn a referendum that the people spoke on only two years ago," said Washington.

From the Detroit Free Press:

A more contentious portion focused on a citywide education plan released earlier this year at the Skillman Foundation with the support of Bobb, several charter school operators, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and community foundations. Backers met in "boot camp" sessions to map the plan.

Bobb said he never told the school board he was participating in talks and he didn't invite them.

The plan calls for opening 40 new schools, shutting failing ones and raising academic standards. It also advocates for mayoral control for the district, essentially eliminating the school board.

And there's money involved according to the Lansing State Journal:

Washington also alleged Bobb accepted supplemental salary offers from foundations active in the planning meetings.

Bobb denied soliciting any extra money for attending the meetings, but said he was aware of salary-related discussions between the foundations and the governor's office.

"How the funds are arriving, from what foundations or whatever sources is not my responsibility," Bobb testified.