Speaking on the "Ask the Mayor" radio program aired Monday night on WCHB-AM and WWJ-AM, Archer told a caller that he and the city had no legal authority over Detroit schools, but that he had a moral obligation "to dig in and roll up my sleeves," the Detroit Free Press reported yesterday.
Archer declined to discuss specifics of the partnership Wednesday, the newspaper said.
The district's problems include national media reports about toilet paper rationing; $124 million cut from its $1.4-billion budget since July; and borderline academic performance.
Students at Detroit's 28 high schools have a mean grade-point average of 1.8 - roughly a D-plus - and fewer than 20 percent of those who took the first High School Proficiency Test scored at the proficient level.
Archer denied reports last month that he was formally offered the job of running Detroit's school system. But during a Jan. 29 news conference, Archer restated his hope that city officials would work with the state to help Detroit schools meet certain state education requirements.
On the radio program, Archer said: "I've been working with the Detroit school board and with the general superintendent. I intend to do so, and if things go well, I think you will be very pleased at something I've put in the works to see if we can build a partnership."
Archer also has opposed Gov. John Engler's suggestion that the state take over school districts that fail to meet specific standards - except as a last resort.
But the Free Press reported that Archer met Feb. 10 with Engler, Detroit Superintendent David Snead, school board President Irma Clark and New Detroit Inc. President Bill Beckham on Feb. 10.
According to Engler spokesman John Truscott, the governor told Archer he should expect the state to announce "finite timetables and issues" involving Detroit schools.
"The discussions weren't a way to say we'll study the problem for two or three years and report back," Truscott told the Free Press. "We're talking several months."
Snead was on vacation Wednesday and not available for comment, the newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, an 18-member panel co-chaired by three business leaders is reviewing Detroit school operations. It plans to report its findings to the Board of Education by May 23.