Detroit School Board Seat Replacement Process Underway

News Summary

Detroit is working to fill an open seat on the Detroit Public Schools Community District board, with fourteen candidates vying for the position. This vacancy was created by the recent resignation of board member Angelique Peterson-Mayberry. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are addressing key education issues such as absenteeism and literacy. The board will meet on July 28 to select the new member, emphasizing the importance of leadership amid challenges facing the educational landscape.

Detroit School Board Seat Replacement Process Underway

Detroit is currently in the process of filling an open seat on the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board, with fourteen candidates actively pursuing the position. This vacancy arose following the resignation of former board member Angelique Peterson-Mayberry earlier this month. The newly appointed board member will complete a term that runs through the end of 2026.

The candidates come from diverse backgrounds, including district parents, educators, religious leaders, and an attorney. Each candidate aims to address pressing education issues within the district, such as chronic absenteeism, early literacy instruction, and potential federal funding cuts.

Candidate Profiles and Insights

Among the candidates are individuals with various qualifications and experiences that may influence their approach to the board’s responsibilities:

• Pageant Atterberry: Owner of New Beginnings Child Care & Academy, with involvement in the Urban League.
• Kenya Avant: Senior director of performance management for DPSCD; previously served as a school council member.
• Sonja Beasley-Hall: Deputy director for Wellspring Detroit; experience includes professional development for afterschool programs.
• Rev. Steven Bland Jr.: Senior pastor and community activist, focusing on youth outreach ministries.
• Whitney Clarke: Child care center operator and minister; has worked as a former child advocate for the Children’s Defense Fund.
• Jonathan Demers: Legal counsel for Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network; previously a social studies teacher.
• Debra Duren: Real estate agent with prior business experience.
• Bonzetta “Bonnie” D. Ferrell: Assistant operations manager and former administrative specialist for the Detroit Health Department.
• Bessie Harris: Retired special education teacher and principal, with a history of running for board positions.
• Shinese Johnson: Director of school-based programs for Black Caucus Foundation; currently president of a charter school board.
• Aliya Moore: Education advocate and district parent, who has run for the board in the past.
• Ashley Pearson: Social services coordinator in a health and rehabilitation center.
• Jeremiah Steen: Philanthropist and youth advocate, founder of a career development foundation for teens.
• Rev. Curtis C. Williams: CEO of a funeral home; a retired pastor whose children attended the district.

Application Process and Selection Timeline

All candidates submitted their letters of intent, resumes, and survey responses earlier this month. While the responses to the surveys have been made public, other application materials can be accessed through an open records request. The district has requested a ten-day extension to furnish these documents.

The selection process consists of scoring candidates based on their interviews and application materials. This evaluation will be conducted by the board’s chair, vice-chair, and an independent third party to ensure a fair assessment. Notably, three candidates have withdrawn their applications; one faced scrutiny over the use of ChatGPT in her application materials.

Upcoming Board Meeting

The DPSCD board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. on July 28 at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School to vote on the candidate for the vacant board seat. This meeting is open to the public, allowing community members to witness the process firsthand.

Context of Education Challenges

The Detroit Public Schools Community District has been grappling with several significant challenges that call for dedicated leadership. Chronic absenteeism and the need for enhanced early literacy instruction are critical issues that the new board member will need to prioritize. Additionally, the potential cuts to federal funding loom large, posing further hurdles for the district’s ability to provide essential educational services.

As the selection process unfolds, the commitment and vision of the incoming board member will play a vital role in shaping the future of education in Detroit.

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Additional Resources

• Bridge Detroit: Detroit School Board Candidates Interviews
• Detroit Free Press: Detroit Public School Community District Candidate 2024 Election
• DL-Online: Plenty of Choices on the Ballot for Detroit Lakes School Board
• Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit Election Results – School Funding on the Ballot
• WXYZ: May 2025 Elections – What’s on the Ballot in Metro Detroit
• Wikipedia: Education in Detroit
• Google Search: Detroit Public Schools Community District
• Google Scholar: Detroit School Funding
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Education
• Google News: Detroit School Board