Detroit School Board Election Sees Record Candidate Numbers
In an election that could significantly impact Michigan’s largest school district, a total of thirty-four candidates are competing for five open seats on the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board. This is the largest number of contenders since the district’s inception in 2016, which saw over 60 individuals vying for positions.
The upcoming election is particularly notable as only two current board members, Steve Bland and Bessie Harris, are seeking re-election. Both incumbents were appointed last year to fill vacancies left by resigning members. With the current board leadership, including President LaTrice McClendon and Vice President Corletta Vaughn, stepping down from their roles, the election is set to bring fresh faces to the board. The seat previously held by Iris Taylor, who passed away in July, is also up for grabs.
Among the 34 candidates, 31 are campaigning for four-year terms, while Ijazz Jackson, Aliya Moore, and Shawn Vaughn are contesting for a two-year partial term. However, only 19 of the candidates have responded to a questionnaire distributed by Chalkbeat in July. Their responses highlight a variety of strategies to tackle pressing issues such as high rates of chronic absenteeism, enrollment challenges, and the impending cessation of funding that has supported the employment of academic interventionists.
The responses from candidates, which were published as part of a voter guide, remain unedited for grammar or punctuation as shared with Chalkbeat. For those seeking more detailed information on voting, resources are available here.
This article was originally published by Chalkbeat. For ongoing updates on Detroit’s public school system and education policy in Michigan, consider subscribing to Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter.
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