The Detroit school district will close 32 public schools this year, fewer than had been expected, as the financially struggling district tries to curtail costs while improving academics for an ever-lower number of students.
The announcement last week by emergency financial manager Robert C. Bobb is part of his $1 billion, five-year facilities plan to realign the 172-school district. It follows the closure of 29 schools last fall and 35 other buildings about three years ago.
Nine more schools will be closed in 2011-12, followed by four more a year later.
Mr. Bobb originally had planned to close 44 schools in June, but scaled back after several dozen meetings with parents and others. The closures are expected to cut into a $218 million legacy budget deficit and current operating deficit of about $100 million.
