News Summary
Rev. Steven Bland Jr. has been appointed to the Detroit Public Schools Community District board, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Angelique Peterson-Mayberry. His unanimous selection came after a competitive review of 14 candidates. As a community leader, Bland aims to enhance student attendance and well-being through various initiatives and outreach programs. His appointment is seen as a step forward in improving educational outcomes and community engagement in the district.
Detroit – Rev. Steven Bland Jr. has been appointed as a new member of the Detroit Public Schools Community District board. His appointment was confirmed during a special meeting held on a Monday night at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School. Bland will serve the remaining term of former board member Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, who resigned on July 2, which extends through the end of 2026.
The selection process for the new board member involved a competitive review of 14 candidates. Bland’s selection marks him as the top candidate, receiving the highest score following interviews and evaluations made by board members. The appointment was unanimous, although one board member was absent during the voting. Following the decision, Bland was sworn into office.
Bland leads various community ministries and youth programs, including Project R.I.S.E. (Rigorous Instruction to Supplement Education). In his position, he aims to address issues such as chronic absenteeism by introducing outreach initiatives through his church. He stressed the critical role of student attendance while also addressing the need for proper nutrition, emotional stability, and support for students within the district.
The candidates for this position included a diverse group, comprising district parents, educators, an employed administrator, a philanthropist, and an attorney. Each applicant provided a letter of intent, resume, and responses to specific survey questions. The results from the survey were the only materials made public; other application details will be accessible through an open records request. A request to review these materials has already been submitted, but the district has indicated that it will need an extension until August 11 to fulfill the request.
During the selection process, three candidates withdrew their applications, with one candidate stepping down due to concerns regarding the use of ChatGPT in their application. The independent evaluation of candidate materials involved scores being sealed until the meeting, where an independent third-party legal counsel tallied the scores live, which took over an hour.
As he steps into his new role, Bland will also fill Peterson-Mayberry’s place on the Academic Committee. Board member Monique Bryant has been appointed as the chair of that committee. Bland’s focus on enhancing the educational landscape in Detroit aims to foster greater student participation, reinforcing the fundamental belief that education necessitates the physical presence of students in the classroom.
The appointment comes at a critical time for the Detroit Public Schools Community District, as it seeks to improve student outcomes and encourage community engagement. With a strong emphasis on cooperation and support from both families and educational leaders, Bland’s addition to the board is seen as a positive step forward in addressing ongoing challenges within the district.
Rev. Steven Bland Jr.’s commitment to education and community service positions him well to contribute positively to the Detroit Public Schools Community District. His vision for supporting families and students in the district is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of education in Detroit, focusing on attendance and overall student well-being.
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Additional Resources
- Michigan Advance: Rev. Steven Bland Jr. Appointed to Detroit School Board
- Wikipedia: Detroit Public Schools
- WV News: Rev. Steven Bland Jr. is New Board Member
- Google Search: Rev. Steven Bland Jr. Detroit School District
- Bridge Detroit: Hannah Dellinger Articles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Michigan Advance: Hannah Dellinger Archive
- Google News: Detroit Public Schools
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