Nikolai Vitti

The Detroit school board approved a two-year teacher contract with 3% annual pay raises, retention bonuses, and a new AI policy. The agreement, covering 2026-2028, includes increased salaries for teachers with master’s degrees and stipends for classrooms with students requiring special support.

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) launched 10 Health Hubs in 2023 to address chronic absenteeism by providing students and families with health services, housing assistance, food distribution, and legal resources. Navigators like Jerrica Mickens help families access these services, contributing to improved attendance and supporting thousands of families since the program's inception.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District released its 2026-27 school calendar, starting Aug. 24 with 175 student days and 5 staff professional development days. The calendar excludes Eid al-Fitr on March 10, despite past community requests, and includes key breaks and count days for state funding.

The Detroit school district lost a court appeal against the state, requiring it to seek voter approval for a ballot measure to collect operating tax revenue. The ruling upholds that Detroit Public Schools (DPS) cannot use operating tax funds to pay capital debt, forcing the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) to rely on state funding unless voters approve a shift in tax collection authority by 2027.

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) added five new schools to a list of buildings facing potential consolidation or closure due to high operating costs, low enrollment, and underutilization. The district's superintendent outlined financial challenges and proposed solutions like merging schools, reconfiguring grades, and expanding enrollment efforts.

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) added five new schools to a list being monitored for possible consolidation or closure due to high operating costs and low enrollment. The district's superintendent highlighted financial gaps in underutilized schools, such as Palmer Park Prep Academy and Pasteur Elementary School, which incurred expenses exceeding their revenue. DPSCD has seen enrollment decline for over 20 years, with 49,134 students currently enrolled compared to 160,000 in 2000.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) must seek voter approval for a ballot measure to collect operating tax revenue after a court upheld a ruling against its use for debt repayment. The Michigan Court of Appeals sided with the state, stating operating taxes cannot be used for nonoperating debt, forcing DPSCD to rely on state funding until a new tax collection arrangement is approved.

The Detroit school board approved a $1.1 billion budget for the 2026-27 school year, prioritizing security, chronic absenteeism reduction, and staff pay raises. The budget includes $13.9 million for attendance initiatives and allocates funds for classroom supplies, counselors, and security measures, but faces future financial uncertainty as settlement funds deplete and reliance on property taxes increases.

The Detroit school board approved a $1.1 billion budget for the 2026-27 school year, prioritizing security, chronic absenteeism reduction, and staff raises. The budget includes $13.9 million for attendance efforts and allocates funds for classroom supplies, counselors, and assistant principals, though the district faces future financial uncertainty as settlement funds deplete.

Protective barriers at Detroit’s Cooley High School were vandalized, prompting repairs and 24-hour security until its demolition this summer. The school, closed since 2010, will be demolished due to safety concerns, with architectural features like bricks and terra cotta medallions to be preserved.

Detroit’s public school district has increased 24-hour security at vacant Cooley High School following weekend vandalism that damaged the fence and protective covering. The school, set for demolition this summer, will have enhanced security until the process is complete, with plans to preserve certain architectural features.

Detroit Public Schools Community District proposes a $1.1 billion 2026-27 budget with pay raises for staff, expanded anti-absenteeism programs, and increased counselor hiring. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti warns of future financial uncertainty due to state funding inequities and the end of a literacy lawsuit settlement.

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will close Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School by the end of next school year, relocating its over 350 students to a new school opening in 2027. The closure is part of a budget-driven plan to save $10-$19 million, accelerating the phase-out of five under-enrolled, high-cost schools initially scheduled to close gradually.