This story was first published by Chalkbeat Detroit. Access the complete analysis of Detroit school board election outcomes here.
In a significant election that could reshape the future of Detroit’s education system, the city’s voters have selected a mix of past board members, a current incumbent, a newcomer, and a well-known figure to fill five open seats on the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board. This election arrives amidst increasing calls from parents and community members for improvements in academic performance, facility conditions, and transparency.
The unofficial results indicate that Georgia Lemmons, Jameel Smith, LaMar Lemmons, and Bessie Harris secured the four-year terms. The election served as a barometer for Superintendent Nikolai Vitti’s nine-year leadership, which has recently come under scrutiny for insufficient student progress on exams.
Despite the election of new members who have been critical of Vitti, his most vocal detractors were not elected, leaving his job security somewhat ambiguous. LaMar Lemmons, who opposed Vitti’s hiring in 2017, is a former board member with a history of critiquing the superintendent, notably on school closures. His wife, Georgia Lemmons, also a critic, voted against extending Vitti’s contract in 2020.
The board will also see Aliya Moore, a persistent critic of Vitti, taking the two-year partial term. Incumbent Bessie Harris, a retired special education teacher, and Jameel Smith, a director at Henry Ford Health, round out the new board. Terry Whitfield narrowly missed a four-year term by just 56 votes.
Many Detroiters, like Elizabeth Gist, expressed a desire for change, emphasizing the importance of foundational education skills. “Children are the future … and I’m concerned. Because critical thinking seems to be a lost art. Even basic phonics, reading, arithmetic,” Gist noted.
The new board faces challenges that include managing small, costly schools, making tough budget choices as funding depletes, and finding strategies to reduce absenteeism.
A total of 34 candidates vied for the full-term seats, with many advocating for significant changes, including some who called for Vitti’s removal. However, some voters, like Katherine Jackson, felt under-informed. “I really wish there was someone or something to help me so I just voted for the names I recognized,” she said.
Statewide elections also impact Detroit’s education landscape, including the governor’s race and State Board of Education seats.
Amelia Benavides-Colón from BridgeDetroit and Beki San Martin of the Detroit Free Press contributed to this report.
Hannah Dellinger covers Detroit schools for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org.
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