Judge: Detroit's school boss exceeded authority

WKAR Public Media

Published December 6, 2010 at 5:14 PM EST

By AP

DETROIT –
A judge says the Detroit school district's state-appointed financial overseer exceeded his authority in deciding to close schools and change curriculum.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Wendy Baxter ruled Monday in favor of the elected Detroit Board of Education.

Board lawyer Monica Smith says the decision upholds the board's authority in the Detroit Public Schools.

District financial manager Robert Bobb says in a statement that Baxter's decision "fails to address the basic question of how to separate the academics from the financials." He calls it a setback for academic reform and an endorsement of failed policies from the past.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed Bobb in March 2009 to correct the struggling school district's finances.

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