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The Latest: Detroit mayor supports Senate schools plan

Mayor Mike Duggan is supporting state education reform legislation that would divide Detroit's public school system in two and launch a new district with better schools.

Duggan says in a release Tuesday that he urges the Michigan Senate to pass the $720 million plan. A vote on the Senate floor could be held Tuesday.

The Detroit district has been run by state-appointed emergency managers since 2009 and is about $515 million in debt.

Duggan says the plan before the Senate would have the state taking on the debt while returning the 46,000-student district to a locally elected school board.

A spin-off system of low-performing schools also would be returned to the district and an education commission would be established to regulate openings and closings of all public schools in Detroit.

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