Detroit voters will head to the polls in November to elect five new members to the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board, and these individuals will play a direct role in determining the future of local schools grappling with declining enrollment and elevated operating costs. The decisions made by the new board will impact numerous neighborhoods across Detroit, shaping the educational landscape for families and students.
Currently, the DPSCD maintains an annual list of what it terms "small schools." This designation is applied to 19 schools where the revenue generated by student enrollment does not adequately cover the expenses associated with their building programs and daily operations. The district generates this comprehensive list each year to monitor the financial health and sustainability of its educational facilities.
A primary factor contributing to schools appearing on this list is a sustained decrease in student numbers. However, other special circumstances can also lead to higher operational costs. For instance, Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy's enrollment has declined significantly over the past two years because its building is being replaced, and students and staff have been temporarily moved to another location. According to the 2026 small schools report, the expectation is that the school should return to a balanced funding model once it relocates back to its new building.
The district has previously taken action on schools on this list, having closed four facilities in the past. Additionally, there are plans to close Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School, which is currently on the small schools list, at the conclusion of the present academic year. Despite these closures, DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai Vitti has consistently stated that a school's appearance on the annual list does not automatically mean it is being considered for closure. Superintendent Vitti emphasizes that the annual reports detailing these schools also outline the district's various efforts to boost enrollment, enhance marketing strategies for the schools, or seek other viable solutions to address their financial situations without resorting to closure.
The question of how to address these small schools has been a prominent topic among candidates vying for a seat on the school board. Candidates were asked for their perspectives on this matter through a questionnaire. Out of the 19 candidates who completed the questionnaire, a significant number expressed opposition to closing any more schools within the district. One candidate articulated this sentiment by stating that "if a school is expensive to operate but is meeting students’ needs, it should remain open." Other candidates conveyed the importance of a thorough review to understand how these schools arrived at their current financial and enrollment challenges. They also suggested that the district should actively consider and implement strategies aimed at keeping these schools open and viable for the community.
The upcoming November election features 34 names on the ballot for five open seats on the Detroit school board. Four of these seats are for standard four-year terms, while one seat is designated for a partial two-year term. It is important for voters to note that three of the individuals whose names will appear on the ballot – Natalie Bien-Aime, Henrietta Ivey, and Darious Morris – have publicly stated that they are no longer actively campaigning for a position on the board. The outcome of this election will set the direction for how the DPSCD addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by its network of schools in the coming years.
