On November 15th, DPS officials will go to Lansing, hat in hand, asking Gov Granholm and a lame duck legislature to wipe out the debt as part of a new plan to revitalize the district.

"The alternative, according to district spokesman Steve Wasko, is steep cuts, including building closures, teacher layoffs and reductions in bus service, to achieve a zero balance by 2014, as required by state law.

"Plan B would require some purely draconian measures, including increasing class size to a never-before seen average of 62 students," Wasko said."

Considering Mr. Bobb's actions during the past year and a half, he had done an amazing job, given the resources he has to work with and the obstacles placed in his path by the status quo.

This proposal just destroyed all of that respect I had.

With every Michigan School district in a financial bind (many will be in receivership within two years), and Michigan looking at a $1.6-billion hole right from the get-go, this is going to be a tough sell, or the beginning of a VERY slippery slope.

But don't forget, the principals here are all lame duck.

There is no downside to their actions.

However, it would be a great opportunity for Sen Bishop and a Republican Senate to demonstrate some fiscal responsibility.