LANSING (AP) -- The state-appointed emergency financial manager for Detroit schools lobbied again Thursday for academic power over the struggling district.
Robert Bobb told state lawmakers that fixing the problems of finances and academics are intermingled and can't be separated.
It's an emotional issue dividing the Detroit district. School board members last week told the House Education Committee that state law should not be changed.
Bobb's turnaround team is developing plans to try and improve graduation rates, dropout rates and test scores in Detroit schools.
Michigan has passed legislation that would allow the state to take over the bottom 5 percent of Michigan schools based on certain academic standards. That legislation is not related to the powers of emergency financial managers.
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