2009 House Bill 4047

Extend Detroit School District special treatment

Introduced in the House

Jan. 22, 2009

Introduced by Rep. Bettie Cook Scott (D-3)

To reduce from 100,000 to 60,000 the number of students that qualify a school district as a “school district of the first class.” Detroit is the only such district, which among other things is a statutory device to prohibit an expansion of charter schools in the city. The Detroit district has lost tens of thousands of students in recent years, and is fell below the 100,000 threshold last fall. Note: The 2008-2009 School Aid budget included a provision lowering the threshold to 60,000. This bill would amend the state School Code statute.

Referred to the Committee on Education

March 19, 2009

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

April 2, 2009

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that doesn't change the pupil count threshold in statute, but does allow Detroit to retain its “school district of the first class” until July 1, 2010 despite falling below that threshold.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 71 to 38 (details)

To allow Detroit to retain its “school district of the first class” until July 1, 2010, despite the fact that its pupil count has fallen below the level that defines this status. Detroit is the only such district, which among other things is a statutory device to prohibit an expansion of charter schools in the city.

Received in the Senate

April 21, 2009

Referred to the Committee on Education