Charter Schools Not Imminent

By Chastity Pratt, Detroit Free Press

May 16–Central Michigan University officials say that while they’d be interested in opening more charter schools, reports that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick wanted to partner with them to open 25 charters in the city were news to them.

Kilpatrick said they were news to him, too.

In a meeting with the Free Press editorial board, he said Tuesday that he has yet to develop an education plan as part of his effort to revitalize city neighborhoods, but would like to see some efforts under way by summer.

Good schools — whether charter schools, private schools or Detroit public schools — will be needed in order for his Next Detroit neighborhood revitalization initiative to retain and attract residents, he said.

However, he said that contrary to news reports this week, he has had no conversations with CMU about starting any new charter schools and does not know how many new ones the city may need to fill what he calls educational gaps in the neighborhoods.

He said he supports quality charter schools, but noted that such support creates waves with the Detroit Public Schools Board of Education.

“I’m trying to not become the ‘charter guy,’ ” he said, adding that he wants to meet with district officials, along with charter, private and parochial schools, to determine what changes need to occur.

James Goenner, executive director of the Center for Charter Schools at CMU, said the school would help if asked.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Detroit Free Press

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