DPS vs. Bobb

The Detroit Public Schools Board this week filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court charging Michigan's emergency fiscal manager with overstepping his authority.

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of conflicts between the board and Robert Bobb, the emergency fiscal manager. The lawsuit accuses Bobb of failing to consult with the board and with making decisions regarding academics, which he was not appointed to do.

Since Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared DPS to be in a state of fiscal emergency and appointed Bobb to take over the system's finances earlier this year, he has ordered the reconstitution of 40 schools and 17 high schools, laid off employees, and launched investigations into DPS funds.

The lawsuit requests that Bobb stop making academic decisions, consult with the board on financial matters, and restore the $125,000 set aside for outside counsel, according to local reports.

The lawsuit comes as efforts have escalated to give Detroit's mayor authority over the school system. Voters will weigh in on the proposal on the November ballot.

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