DETROIT, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Next fall more than 10,600 Detroit students will be heading off to new schools as the public school system closes 34 schools to deal with a budget crisis.
The Detroit Public Schools are trying to cut expenses by more than $560 million by 2009. Public school enrollment is expected to decline by nearly 40,000 pupils by 2008 and the district faces the possibility of shutting another 60 to 75 schools.
Enrollment has fallen to 140,000 students compared to 297,000 in 1967.
"We now have half as many students as we did in 1970 and nearly the same number of buildings," Detroit schools chief executive officer Kenneth Burnley told the Detroit Free Press. "From a cost standpoint, it doesn't make sense."
The closing of 34 schools and three district buildings in June is expected to save the district about $10 million a year. Five schools will be restructured.
Parents will learn new school assignments for students by mail by March 18.
