News Summary
Fourteen candidates are competing for a vacant seat on the Detroit Public Schools Community District board after Angelique Peterson-Mayberry’s resignation. The election, set for July 28, will determine who will fill the position until 2026. Candidates include parents, educators, and community leaders, all focusing on issues like chronic absenteeism and early literacy. The selection process involves evaluations of their interview performances and application materials in a bid to improve education in the district.
Detroit – Fourteen candidates are vying for a vacant seat on the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board, following the resignation of Angelique Peterson-Mayberry. The chosen candidate will hold the position until the end of Peterson-Mayberry’s term in 2026. The public vote to fill the seat is scheduled for 5:30 PM on July 28 at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School.
The candidates come from a variety of backgrounds, including parents, educators, religious leaders, and an attorney, reflecting a diverse mix of experiences and perspectives. Their primary objectives center on addressing critical issues such as chronic absenteeism, improving early literacy instruction, and handling potential cuts to federal funding.
Among the candidates is Pageant Atterberry, an owner of a child care center and a former board member of the Urban League. Another candidate, Kenya Avant, serves as the senior director of performance management for DPSCD and brings experience in school council and policy analysis. Sonja Beasley-Hall, also in the running, is the deputy director at Wellspring Detroit and has a background in professional development management.
Other notable candidates include Rev. Steven Bland Jr., a senior pastor and community activist; Whitney Clarke, a child care center operator and write-in City Council candidate; and Jonathan Demers, legal counsel for Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network with a history as a social studies teacher. Debra Duren, a real estate agent and past business owner; and Bonzetta “Bonnie” D. Ferrell, an assistant operations manager with previous experience at the Detroit Health Department, round out the field.
Other candidates seeking the board seat include Bessie Harris, a retired teacher and principal; Shinese Johnson, director for the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan; Aliya Moore, an education advocate and parent; Ashley Pearson, a social services coordinator; Jeremiah Steen, a philanthropist and youth advocate; and Rev. Curtis C. Williams, CEO of a funeral home and retired pastor.
Some candidates have demonstrated a strong understanding of the challenges facing DPSCD, while others struggled during interviews. Notably, three candidates withdrew their applications before the interviews. This included one candidate who faced scrutiny over using ChatGPT in their application materials.
Candidates submitted letters of intent, resumes, and survey responses as part of the application process, although only the survey responses were made public. Initially, there was a request for complete application materials, which prompted the district to grant a 10-business day extension under the state’s open records law.
The selection process for the candidates will involve evaluations based on their interview performances and application materials. The results will be compiled by both the board leadership and an independent third party by the end of the week.
This election not only fills a vital position on the board but also addresses pressing issues affecting Detroit’s educational landscape. The dynamics within the DPSCD, marked by challenges in student attendance and literacy, will play a significant role in the candidates’ campaigns as they seek to improve the future of education in the district.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Detroit Public Schools Board to Fill Vacant Seat
Detroit Launches Community-Owned Business Schools
Political Shift in Detroit Mayoral Race After NYC Primary
Detroit School Board Interviews Candidates for Vacant Seat
New Online Voting Tool Launches for Detroit Residents
Investigation Requested on Mayor Candidate’s Residency Status
Detroit Public Schools Board to Interview Candidates for Vacant Seat
Detroit Prepares for Competitive Mayoral Primary Election
Detroit Schools Face Severe Funding Cuts Amid Federal Review
Detroit Leaders Launch Community-Owned Business Schools
Additional Resources
- BridgeDetroit: Detroit School Board Candidates Interviews
- Detroit Free Press: DPSCD Candidate Editorial
- DL-Online: Choices on the Ballot for Detroit Lakes School Board
- Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit Election Results
- WXYZ: May 2025 Elections in Metro Detroit
- Wikipedia: Detroit Public Schools
- Google Search: Detroit Public Schools Community District
- Google Scholar: Detroit School Board Elections
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Detroit
- Google News: Detroit School Board Elections
