Superintendent endorses takeover plan

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

East Lansing, MI – East Lansing, MI (MPRN) - The state's top educator wants to be able to name emergency managers to run schools that are failing academically.

State Superintendent Michael Flanagan is endorsing a measure before the Legislature that would allow a takeover of 30 struggling schools.

Right now, the state can step in only if a school district is facing a financial crisis.

Flanagan also says there should be rewards for schools that are showing big improvements or consistently high performance.

Flanagan says the bonuses should be shared by all the staff in a building.

Flanagan also says he thinks the mayor of Detroit should run the city's schools once they emerge from an emergency financial takeover.