Official: Detroit schools a disaster

DETROIT, May 14 (UPI) -- The financial chief for the Detroit Public Schools has asked for a federal disaster declaration to allow additional money to be funneled to the system.

In a letter Wednesday to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Robert Bobb, the emergency financial manager, suggested a presidential disaster declaration, The Detroit News reported. Such declarations are normally used for natural disasters.

"We are encouraged by the administration's redirection of additional resources into school improvement," Bobb said. "However, much bolder action is necessary to redirect the Detroit Public Schools so that it may become a model for 21st century urban education."

Duncan was in Detroit on a listening tour, and visited Cody High School with Dave Bing, the city's new mayor, The secretary said he supports Bing's plan for a city takeover of the school system.