Skillman CEO is now pushing for mayoral control of schools (Detroit)

[Starry Messenger]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100627/NEWS06/6270419/1322/Skillman-CEO-is-now-pushing-for-mayoral-control-of-schools

It's no secret that Goss supports the controversial notion of mayoral control of Detroit's public schools.

She is walking a fine line.

Even as she pushes for mayoral control, the Skillman Foundation can't fund the drive to put the issue before voters because of its tax-exempt status.

Such power transfers have been successful in cities such as Chicago and New York, however, mayoral control is not a sure bet for Detroit. First off, voters need to approve it.

Despite the public's repeated displeasure with the elected school board, Detroiters may have a bad taste in their mouths from the state takeover of the school system. That takeover, from 1999 to 2005, ended with the district being $200 million in debt.

Kind of an odd article. It is more focused on the personal bio of Carol Goss, the Skillman CEO, than on the implications of David Bing acquiring control of DPS. Bobb is mentioned briefly so perhaps he's punting to Plan B over the strum of the lawsuit with the Detroit School Board. Of course, the School Board is suffering an embarrassing scandal this month so this is a great time to move in for the kill...the enemies of the public schools are making hay. http://www.freep.com/article/201006220300/OPINION01/6220320 http://www.freep.com/article/20100627/COL10/6270466/1001/News/What-does-DPS-scandal-show-women


Detroit schools president: Health woes caused 'poor judgment'

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100618/METRO/6180414#ixzz0s63NSWHE

The letter to colleagues came the same day board Vice President Anthony Adams today released a two-page letter from Gueyser accusing Mathis of fondling himself during a meeting this week. She called it his "usual habit" during one-on-one meetings. She said she tries to ignore it.

"On many occasions, I have asked him not to touch himself," she wrote in the letter dated Wednesday.

Mathis attended the board's 5 p.m. meeting today, but sat in the front row of the audience. His name plate was already removed from the board table. Adams said the board won't comment further on the controversy and is moving forward as if "he is no longer a board member."

<snip>

Gueyser states in the letter that she had in the past notified district staff of Mathis' inappropriate behavior, including former Board President Carla Scott.

Scott said in a phone interview today that she was not aware of such behavior until now.

"It's not something I would have ignored," Scott said. "The only thing I do recall her saying was that she didn't like meeting with him, and that was after he became president."

I'm glad Mathis is gone and I'm sorry there are people defending his behavior in the press. No woman should have to do her job under such humiliating and disgusting circumstances. I'm glad the Detroit School Board voted to keep Gueyser as Superintendent of DPS. http://www.detnews.com/article/20100625/SCHOOLS/6250376/1409/METRO/DPS-board-keeps-Gueyser-as-superintendent It would be a good thing for Bobb, et. al. to find a way to move forward with the cooperation of the Detroit School Board instead of using this incident to further erode its authority via the Skillman Foundation.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Detroit is a mess. But look at what happened in Chicago.

There is hope. I plan on looking for the Detroit teachers at the AFT convention to see what they have to say about what's going on in their district.

[Starry Messenger]

2. Yay! That is true.

I have hope too. There's just so much crap going on with the schools and the developers and the foundations there in Detroit. I look forward to reading all about the AFT convention! :)

[bluestateguy]

3. Well I don't see how they can do that

The Detroit school board and superintendent has done a magnificent job at making Detroit public schools the model for inner city public education.

:eyes: