One of the most interesting education law issues going on in Michigan is the battle between Robert Bobb, the Detroit Public Schools' (DPS) state-appointed emergency financial manageer and DPS's Board of Education. Multiple lawsuits have been filed.
It illustrates the tension between state authority over education and our tradition of locally controlled schools. The DPS Board filed a civil suit last summer against Mr. Bobb alleging he exceeded his authority as emergency financial manager because he proposed changes to academics.
Mr. Bobb won the first round of the Board's lawsuit against his plan for the district which made sweeping academic changes when the Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling against him. Read the story here: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/05/robert_bobb_wins_round_but_det.html
The case continues in the circuit court, though, and Mr. Bobb and the eleven member board have been ordered to attend hearings related to the lawsuit. Read the story here: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/06/robert_bobb_v_detroit_board_of.html
In the latest development, Robert Bobb will soon be making a recommendation to the Michigan Legislature that DPS have a permanent Inspector General, Auditor General, and Chief Financial Officer to combat years of financial mismanagement, waste, and corruption. He wants these officials to have the authority to act independently of the local school board. Read the story here: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/0/robert_bobb_preparing_proposal.html The battle continues ....