Detroit (WWJ) -- The Detroit Public School district's money crisis could force a shutdown of the district, as early as Monday.
The news comes as school officials spent the weekend trying to figure out how to solve the district's $400 million deficit. The crisis could also lead to another state takeover of Detroit school system.
Monday night, the school board will vote on a proposal calling for $500 million in cuts for 2009 and 2010, including more than 1,700 layoffs and closing seven schools. If the plan is rejected, a shutdown could happen almost immediately.
At the same time, the Michigan Senate passed a resolution over the weekend calling for a state investigation of the finances of the Detroit School District, citing reports that DPS has hidden deficits for at least four years.
Senator Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) called it a step toward a state takeover of the city's schools, which last happened in 1999.
Clark-Coleman also accused Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), who sponsored the legislation, of plotting to privatize all Detroit schools.
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