This week the state legislature passed bills that will give Detroit Public Schools more than $600 million to avoid bankruptcy and continue educating kids.
The bills still need approval from the governor. He says consider them approved.
"This is one of those rare cases where I will tell you, I am going to sign this package," said Gov. Rick Snyder (R-Michigan).
Snyder says that doesn’t mean it is everything he hoped for.
For example, the bills don’t call for a Detroit Education Commission. It is something that was suggested be created to regulate if and where schools - district and public charter - open in the city. The goal was to make sure schools are successful and opened where they are needed.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has said without such a commission money will be wasted as charters and district schools operate without coordination, in competition.
"He clearly wanted to have the DEC and I was a supporter of that, but the legislation that passed accomplishes some huge goals that were outstanding for the last decade or so," said Snyder.
The governor says finding a plan to pay off the district’s approximately half a billion dollar debt is a huge accomplishment. Plus there will be funding to help it restructure.
"There is going to be $150 million in new investment, and there is going to be a locally elected school board in place," said Snyder.
He could sign the bills as soon as next week.
