DETROIT – Detroit Public Schools Community District faces lawsuit over the abandoned elementary school.
Lawmakers question the use of funds by the Detroit Public School Community District in an elementary school litigation abandoned.
The Detroit Preparatory Academy acquired an elementary school and is trying to move in after renovation, but the district is blocking relocation. Lawmakers said the district should not contend for it and should not spend it on that.
The children of the Detroit Preparatory Academy 's classrooms are in the basement of the church, the classrooms are small and there is a playground behind the park.
That's why the school's executive director, Kyle Smitley, is looking at the former DPSCD school Anna Joyce Elementary. The school has been collapsing since it was sold in June 2009.
"I can just envision our kids here," Smitley said. "I can envision how bright and joyful it's going to be. … We think that with some TLC it can be a perfect, joyful place for our students. We love the neighborhood."
Detroit Prep is trying to buy a school, but because DPSCD has limited ownership and lost ownership, it restricts its use, so you can not get ownership.
However, the Michigan Legislature revised the law, making these regulations illegal.
"We, as a school district, find the act problematic, that it usurps the right of elected school boards to determine the future of their own assets," Vitti said.
"The reality is that deed restrictions are illegal now," House Education Reform Committee Rep. Tim Kelly said. "Whether you like them or not, whether it's good for your district or not, is immaterial. It's the law."
"This is a political fight about charter schools versus traditional public schools," Kelly said. "They don't want another charter school open in their district. That's what this is about."
The biggest issue for some residents is that the district uses funds for litigation.
"There should be no resources sent by DPSCD for a building that they do not own to prevent kids from learning in the city of Detroit," House Education Reform Committee Rep. Daniela Garcia said.
Meanwhile, Smitley is grateful for Vitti's passion, but he says he feels it wrong.
"You can be a great advocate for your students and simultaneously all students in Detroit, and following the law," Smitley said.
Charter School filed a lawsuit filing a lawsuit seeking a ruling. There was a hearing in October, but the judge has not decided yet.
