Engler promotes Detroit renewal plan

The lengthy speech to the Booker T. Washington Business Association included proposals on schools, taxes and development. But some members of the crowd said the governor, running for re-election, covered too much ground with too few specifics.

The centerpiece of the speech was a proposal made public this weekend to allow Detroit parents to take over individual schools and run them separately from the school district. A principal and a majority of teachers could also form what Engler called a ''Freedom School,'' which would still receive state funding.

Engler said the plan would break the grip of bureaucrats over-education, and would help a school system where only three out of 10 ninth-grade students get a diploma.

''You can't write these children off. There just isn't going to be enough to do unless they get an education,'' he said.

''Think about this idea. Think about how neighborhoods could be reinvigorated simply because the school down the street gained new life as a Freedom School.''

A message was left last night with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Geoffrey Fieger's campaign office seeking comment.

Other ideas Engler promoted included:

* Requiring school administrators to report all incidents on school grounds and buses involving guns, drugs or violence to police.

* Expelling students who assault teachers or employees.

* Putting prisoners, parolees and probationers to work cleaning up vacant lots and planting trees.

* Expanding Project Zero, a program that tries to find work for all state welfare recipients.

Engler said his plan would help keep Detroit's population about one million people in the year of 2000 - the threshold for millions in federal funding.

''Yesterday, I have outlined a plan to help this city,'' he said. ''It helps urban areas across Michigan.''

The proposal for Detroit schools drew the most attention from the crowd. The president of an urban coalition that drew up a reform plan for city schools said Engler's plan was a good way to start debate, but it was ultimately up to Detroit to fix its schools.

09-09-98