Less Than 12 Hours Later, The DPS Fighting Begins

Now THAT sure didn't take long! For a blogger, there sure is no lack of news around here in Southeastern Michigan regarding DPS (none of it good by the way). Just last night I wrote a post about the ginormous $306 million deficit run up by the incompetent leadership of DPS. I predicted a fight between Bob^2 (Robert Bobb) and the entrenched bureaucracy. In fact, I summed up my prediction for the fight in only one word:

That pain started early the very next day. This morning I see two pieces in the freep alone. Here was the first one that raised an eyebrow: Power fight with DPS board may deepen. From that piece:

The new deficit-reduction plan for Detroit Public Schools was submitted before some school board members had seen it -- adding to friction between the district's financial manager and a board that has lost much of its power.

School Board President Carla Scott, for one, has expressed concerns about how much power Robert Bobb has taken. ...

Board member Joyce Hayes-Giles said she didn't think any board members were briefed on the deficit-elimination plan before Bobb filed it or discussed it with the news media. ...

"I don't have a problem with meeting with the media, but it just seems to me the order should be reversed," Hayes-Giles said. ...

Did the article mention any alternative plan from the School Board to eliminate the deficit? Not one boo or peep. Not surprisingly, I see clear evidence here that the DPS Board doesn't have a clue as to the power that Bob^2 yields. He was appointed as the financial manager of DPS by the Governor of Michigan. Basically, that gives him carte blanche control of all district finances. The DPS Board that dug this hole with their own incompetence and corrupt nature, have no say in the matter whatsoever. They have no right to even be informed as to what Bob^2 will do. Bob^2 just does it and reports his course of action to the Governor and the media and that's about that! So get over yourselves, DPS School Board members! It's also clear that the DPS School Board is oblivious to what they have done! In fact, I would bet dollars to doughnuts that none of them can spell "incompetence."

The other piece in the freep today had this headline: Bobb blames bad records, oversight for huge DPS deficit. Nah - say it ain't so! DPS can't keep records and is incompetent in providing oversight? Shocking, no? Well - actually - no. Not really. Here are some eye-openers from that piece:

Building a historic deficit for Detroit Public Schools took a startling lack of oversight and record keeping, the district's financial manager said Wednesday.

A projected $305-million deficit spelled out in a report filed with the Michigan Department of Education includes a $25-million cushion because thestate-appointed financial manager expects to uncover more costs that were not budgeted.

"We have literally found invoices in desk drawers," Bobb said. "The frightening part is, I'm not sure what else we're going to find."

Bobb said the blame has to be laid "at the feet of management."

And that was the gentle part. The article actually goes downhill from there! The warning signs, the 2009 budget, the misspending of loans, superfluous positions that weren't cut, overspending on non-personal items, etc. In a word, bad. Or corrupt. Or incompetent. There was a positive sign in the article, other than the fact that Bob^2 is clearly kicking some hiney and it's going over about as well with DPS as a turd floating in their punchbowl. Here was the relevant snippet on the good news:

to eliminate the deficit, Bobb doesn't plan to use a long-term loan -- as occurred in 2005 -- or the estimated $500 million in stimulus funds headed to DPS. The plan is to eliminate it through spending cuts and efficiencies over the next two years.

Excellent decision, Bob^2! Maybe he can next tell the Governor to stop kicking the can down the road? (Mortgaging Michigan's Future) Maybe??? Hey - one can always hope against hope!

Previously:
Oh SNAP! DPS now $306 million in the hole!
DPS to Granholm: "Uh - Now What Do We Do?"
Bob^2 to teach DPS about Corruption
DPS: "Hey buddy, can you spare $162 Million?"
Bob^2 Trying to Drain DPS Swamp
DPS may owe $36 million more
More on DPS - None of It Good
Shock! - Ex-DPS official files federal whistleblower lawsuit
Bob^2, DPS to Get Undeserved Windfall
Throwing money into the DPS hole
Bob^2 starts tally of DPS troubles
Bob^2 says: DPS deficit larger than thought
Bob Bobb (Bob^2) on a mission to save DPS
Non-Shocker of the Morning - Former DPS Head Calloway: Detroit School Board Corrupt!
DetNews: Bring 'Marine Corps' of teachers to Detroit schools
DPS to good teachers - GET OUT OF OUR SWAMP!!!
Duh! - DPS fails kids, fed school chief says
freep: DPS may need payday loans