Voter guide 2026: What Detroit school board candidates say about closing small schools

The Detroit Public Schools Community District faces challenges with declining enrollment and high operating costs. There are currently 19 schools on the list of small schools, which means the revenue generated by enrollment doesn't cover the costs of programs and operations. Many of these schools have declining enrollment, while others face special circumstances that lead to higher costs.

For example, Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy has seen a significant drop in enrollment due to the relocation of its building and the subsequent movement of students and staff to another location.

The district has already closed four schools on the list, and Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School, which is currently on the list, is set to close at the end of the school year. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti has clarified that being on the list doesn't necessarily mean a school is being considered for closure. Instead, the annual reports focus on the district's efforts to boost enrollment, market the schools, and explore other solutions.

During the 2026 school board election, candidates were asked about the future of small schools in Detroit. Out of the 19 candidates who responded, many opposed closing additional schools. One candidate suggested that schools should remain open if they are expensive to operate but still meet students' needs. Other candidates emphasized the need for the district to review how these schools reached their current situation and consider strategies to keep them open.

In the upcoming election for five open seats on the school board, 34 names will appear on the ballot. Three of these candidates, Natalie Bien-Aime, Henrietta Ivey, and Darious Morris, have since announced that they are no longer running.