Detroiters see an economy that isn’t working for them and want change ahead of November’s election

The upcoming November election for the Detroit school board could significantly alter the district's future. This race for five open seats on the seven-member board comes amid growing concerns about early literacy scores, facilities, and administrative transparency.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is at a turning point, with Jamon Jordan, the city's appointed historian, comparing it to pivotal moments in the district's history. These include the 1974 Milliken v. Bradley case, the 1990s reform movement, and the 2016 "right to read" lawsuit.

Only two incumbents are in the running: Steve Bland Jr. and Bessie Harris. The current leadership, which includes Iris Taylor, has decided not to run again. Board members Monique Bryant and Ida Short have become vocal critics of Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, who has been in the position for nine years.

While DPSCD has made academic progress in the last decade, there are worries that a new board could disrupt these gains. There are also concerns about potential conflict with the district leadership. Vitti has stated that the district will either continue on a path of progress or risk regression after the election.

The board's role is to hold the system accountable, but they can vote to hire or fire the superintendent, with the Detroit Financial Review Commission approving any termination. Despite Vitti's relatively strong tenure, some worry that a new direction could put academic progress at risk.