Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) students are voicing their priorities for the next school board as voters prepare to elect new members. Key concerns on the minds of young Detroiters include arts funding, transportation needs, building conditions, and the availability of extracurricular activities. The November 3 general election will see 31 candidates vying for four full-term seats and three candidates competing for one partial term ending in 2028, making it a pivotal moment for Michigan's largest public school district.
Justin Ward, a 17-year-old instrumental music major at Detroit School of Arts (DSA), emphasized the need for increased funding for equipment and instruments at the audition-based high school. He also expressed a desire for the new board to work more closely with the administration to enhance support for students in DSA's visual and literary arts programs. Ward noted that opportunities for these majors are “few and far between,” despite art shows and poetry slams existing.
Extracurricular activities are another significant area of focus for students. Charity McQueen, also 17 and a senior at Detroit School of Arts, called for more variety in districtwide extracurriculars. While DSA offers options like band, theater, and tutoring, McQueen believes that many such activities have disappeared across the district over the years. Though the city recently announced the expansion of the GOAL Line Detroit after-school program with new sites and transportation for K-8 students, McQueen's focus is on district-provided options.
McQueen also advocated for the board to prioritize processes that foster more respectful relationships between students and staff. She suggested that board members assist in the vetting process for new hires, ensuring that teachers and staff are evaluated not just on their credentials but also on their teaching styles and how they engage with students. DPSCD's current hiring process involves interviews, a conditional offer, and orientation.
Access to adequate learning materials is a shared concern. McQueen and Gwendolyn Wong, a 15-year-old from The School at Marygrove, highlighted issues such as insufficient textbooks for each student and the need to share laptops in classes. Wong proposed more funding for textbooks, or readily available digital versions for teachers to print. Wong additionally requested more classroom support for students with disabilities, such as those with dyslexia or dyscalculia, suggesting student teachers or teaching assistants could provide more personal assistance.
Transportation emerged as a major concern for Sibma Olea-Cruz, a 16-year-old junior at Cass Technical High School. While Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) buses are free for city students, Cass Tech, like most high schools in the district, does not receive yellow bus service. Exceptions are made for students with disabilities or those experiencing homelessness. Olea-Cruz stressed the challenge of lacking transportation for a large school within a district of nearly 50,000 students, with Cass having over 2,400 students.
Olea-Cruz also pointed to the condition of school buildings, citing issues like brown spots on walls, missing tiles, and leaky classrooms at Cass Tech. The high school is part of DPSCD's facility master plan and is scheduled to receive a $7.3 million investment in upgrades, including heating, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access, and LED lighting, with projects expected to be completed by fall 2029.
Overcrowding in classrooms is another issue Olea-Cruz raised, recalling a French class with over 40 students and insufficient chairs. Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti addressed class sizes, stating the district's target for high schools is 35 students, with a maximum of 41. He noted that the average class size at Cass Tech is currently 32, though core classrooms often have around 40 students. Vitti outlined the district's standard process to address high class sizes by offering teachers additional class periods with extra pay or by adding or shifting teacher positions.
Finally, Olea-Cruz expressed a desire for the board to pass a policy requiring the observation of religious holidays, such as Eid-al-Fitr. While Muslim students currently receive excused absences, they often face the burden of making up missed tests and assignments, and miss out on weekly perfect attendance incentives. Another high school senior, identified as Jean, advocated for students to have more input on their class choices, suggesting a dedicated time for students to select courses that align with their interests and future paths.
The upcoming election is set to bring significant changes to the DPSCD board, with current Board President LaTrice McClendon and Vice President Corletta Vaughn not seeking re-election. Only two incumbents, Steve Bland and Bessie Harris, who were appointed last year to fill resigned members' terms, are seeking re-election. The fifth open seat resulted from the passing of Iris Taylor in July. Although most Detroit students are not yet old enough to vote, their voices are clear on what they believe is needed to improve their educational experience.
