Detroit Public Schools

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Detroit Public Schools (DPS) is a school district that covers all of the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The student population of the Detroit Public Schools is 106,485 for the 2007-2008 school year.^[1]. The district consists of 220 schools: 147 elementary, 31 middle, 28 high schools; and 10 adult education and 4 vocational education schools.

Contents 1 History 2 Financial Difficulties 3 Employee Relations 4 Student Achievement 5 Charter School Competition 6 Elected Officials 7 Miscellany 8 Schools 8.1 Kindergarten and 7-12 schools 8.2 7-12 schools 8.3 High schools 8.3.1 Zoned high schools 8.3.2 Optional high schools 8.4 PreK-8 schools 8.4.1 Zoned PreK-8 schools 8.4.2 Alternative PreK-8 schools 8.5 K-8 schools 8.5.1 Zoned K-8 schools 8.5.2 Alternative K-8 schools 8.6 5-8 schools 8.7 6-8 schools 8.8 PK-6 schools 8.9 K-6 schools 8.10 PreK-5 schools 9 Defunct schools 10 Former High Schools 11 References 12 External links

[edit] History

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Detroit Public Schools has grown in area with the city. Some of the schools in the district began as part of other school districts, such as various Greenfield Township and Springwells Township districts before these districts were made part of the Detroit Public Schools as the areas they covered were annexed to the city of Detroit.

In 1917, the board membership was changed from ward-based to at-large elections.

In 1999, the Michigan Legislature removed the locally elected board of education amid allegations of mismanagement and replaced it with a reform board appointed by the mayor and governor. The elected board of education returned following a city referendum in 2005. The first election of the new eleven member board of education, with four chosen at-large and seven by district, occurred on November 8, 2005.

[edit] Financial Difficulties

The DPS student population was 157,003 for the 2002-2003 school year, and has fallen to 106,485 for the 2007-2008 school year.^[2]. Declining enrollment has been called a "tragic downward spiral". ^[3].

DPS's 2007-2008 budget was $1.2 billion, or approximately $11,400 per its 105,000 students, with a staff of 15,535. The district has not ordered textbooks at the start of the school year for 19 years. ^[4].

Detroit Public Schools faces a $45 million budget deficit this year, in part due to $105 million in expenses not budgeted. ^[5].

DPS board complained that the deficit of $65 million for 2007-2008 school year was caused by accounting irregularities, including fringe benefits and paying teachers "off books". ^[6].

DPS has a state-mandated deficit elimination plan, which called for 110 school closures. ^[7]

DPS's debt includes $210 million borrowed from the state during the state takeover. In 2007, Detroiters passed a ballot measure asking the state to forgive all of DPS's debt. ^[8]

Due to a teacher strike, the projected loss in 2006 of about 25,000 students (12,350 actual) would have likely require immediate and severe action, including closing schools and reducing staff.^{[citation needed]} To encourage students to attend on count day, Wednesday, September 26, the attendance date for establishing state funding, Detroit Public Schools used a media campaign and giveaways including flat panel TVs, lunches with celebrities, and free grades. ^[9] Total spending was $100,000 for attendance promotions on that day, including $40,000 in donated funds and $60,000 in school funds.^{[citation needed]}

The State Department of Education calculated that total per student funds for Detroit Public Schools are $11,631 per year, including federal, state, and local contributions.^{[citation needed]}

An audit of The School District of the City of Detroit’s Administration of Parental Involvement Funds Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 found that DPS used funds for unallowable or improperly documented purposes,^[10] didn't ensure that its contractors performed in accordance with the terms of the contract, didn't correctly report budgeted expenditures, misclassified expenditures, and that their policy didn't include all of the required elements.

In 1994, the voters approved a $1.5 billion bond issue to be used for capital improvements. Many people have called for an audit of this money, saying that they've seen very little benefit from the bond. DPS is currently seeking voter approval for an additional $1.5 billion bond issue for additional capital improvements.^{[citation needed]}>

Due to the disagreement over $250 million in debt created during the takeover from 1999-2005, State Rep. Lamar Lemmons III proposed that it be forgiven, or Detroit would withhold $40 million annually in casino money it was to pay to the state of Michigan. Contractors are largely accused of wasting taxpayer dollars during the takeover, so the board cut a proposed contract with Filmore Construction from $6.6 million to only $2 million and one year.^[11]

From previous bonds, DPS owes the State of Michigan $510 million, and many Detroiters are calling on the state to forgive that debt, pointing out that some of it was created by the deficits made by the reform board imposed by the state (although they issued no bonds), and some further oppose this bond issue because of this additional state debt. A state overseer already automatically sets aside about one quarter of state funding for debt repayment of state bonds.^[12]

Because of rapidly declining enrollment, the Detroit Public Schools has a goal of closing 95 schools by 2009.^{[citation needed]} Detroit Public Schools has closed 67 schools since 2005 due to declining enrollment, ^[13] and the state mandated deficit reduction plan calls for the closure of a total of 110 schools. ^[12]

The plan to secure and close 67 schools has been called "botched" and incomplete after $3 million spent on the task, with nearly half of the schools not having been cleaned out, and a football field of materials being warehoused. The process has been plagued by vandalism and theft. Another $1.5 million is allocated to completing the project. One sore point for many parents and observers are the abandoned textbooks in a district that faces textbook shortages. State Sen. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, has proposed a state performance audit of DPS. ^[14]

In May 2006, the Detroit School Board voted to borrow up to $200 million to cover short term spending.^[15] The Detroit Public School Board voted to close 7 schools, down from 20-30 under the previous deficit elimination plan, and borrowed $200M to keep the school system budget balanced.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2006, the DPS board approved a $1.4B budget, a drop of $44M, or about 3% eliminating 800 jobs, cutting non-union salaries 10%, and school supplies 13%. The budget anticipated a loss of 9,000 students in the next school year (approx 6.9%). A US Department of Education audit for 2003-2005 found that the district misspent $930,448 intended to increase parental invovlement on items like duplicate salaries, job perks, or entertainment, so it must also repay those federal grants next year.^{[citation needed]} The district sought labor union concessions of $105 million, and the Detroit Federation of Teachers expects 300-500 teachers to retire or resign this summer. Additionally, principals and assistant principals will not receive the second half of their raises expected this year.^{[citation needed]}

There have been numerous incidents, including a food fight with over 300 students causing 52 students to be expelled, and a diabetic student unable to eat all day, after DPS recently laid off a large number of cafeteria workers.^[16] Brenda Scott Middle School Principal Beverly Butler forbade students from purchasing milk or juice with their home made lunches, and required that all lunches not include sweets and chips as a disciplinary measure.

Cuts continued in December 2006. 450 more teachers were laid off, a championship chess team with a budget in previous years of $120,000 was defunded, and teachers without Spanish language skills were moved to bilingual schools to replace laid off teachers. DPS clerical workers reported district demands for immediate pay cuts of 16.5%. The Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors have walked out of contract negotiations, and are now assigned to watch students. The district has failed to meet a self imposed deadline to have a plan to utilize in house food services that passed on September 30th. One union representative claimed that the district intends to close 30 schools at the end of this year.^[17]

In January 2006, after announcing a forthcoming plan, Detroit Public Schools Superintendent William F. Coleman presented a plan to close 47 school buildings in summer 2007, for a savings of $19 million per year.^{[citation needed]} The district has lost 60,000 students, or about 1/3rd of its population, but closed only 35 buildings, or only 14%, and the remaining buildings are underutilized.^{[citation needed]} Many parents and teachers believe that additional closings will cause even more students to leave DPS for competing charter schools. The state mandated deficit elimination plan calls for closing 50 buildings by 2010. Teachers, parents, and students were upset by the plan.^{[citation needed]} Teachers and others protested before the January 11, 2006 school board meeting, and many people jammed into the meeting.^{[citation needed]} Board President Jimmy Womak called on people to develop solutions to keep their schools open, and not just vent frustration. The Detroit News condemned teacher's complaints regarding closing schools, saying that the teachers themselves know there is a problem with DPS, and that teachers are more likely than the general public to send their kids to private schools.^{[citation needed]}

An analysis of the financial crisis by the Michigan Citizen blamed the takeover board and former CEO Kennith Burnley for the cuts, pointing out that the district's deficit of $19 million per year can largely be attributed to debt payments of $19 million per year incurred from a $210 million loan from the state made by that board. At a meeting, teachers accused the board of inflating capacity figures and allowing the district to violate per classroom student limits.^[18]

A Detroit Free Press report showed that the district spent $1.3 million on conferences, catering, hotels, and related items. The district indicated that grants paid for much of that. This compares to a district budged of $1.3 billion, or 0.1%.^{[citation needed]} Some specific expenses, such as last minute air fare, suggested that the district could do more to control costs.

DFT president Virginia Cantrell criticized the plan to close 52 schools, calling for a systematic, data driven approach, and saying that it would encourage more families to leave DPS.^{[citation needed]} She later suggested that Governor Granholm take over DPS.^[19]

On March 3, 2007 Detroit Free Press reported that DPS is probing wire transfers to risk management consultant Long Insurance. Superintendent William F. Coleman III placed CFO Dori Freelain and Delores Brown on administrative leave.^{[citation needed]} DPS normally pays contractors via check. Recognizing that Brown was innocent of any wrongdoing, DPS officials called the longtime administrator back to work two months later and further acknowledged her innocence with a signed letter that completely exonerated her.

In March 2007, a revised facilities plan calls for 39 schools to close this year, with 4 possible schools closing next year, and 10 schools that may close. It also reorganizes some schools and creates 23 themed schools. It has not yet been approved by the facilities committee or the DPS board.^{[citation needed]} A Detroit Free Press Video reflects concerns of residents.^{[citation needed]} On April, 4, 2007, the Detroit Public Schools Board approved closing 34 buildings at the end of the current school year, and 8 more schools have been warned that they must meet enrollment targets or face closure at the end of the next school year. The meeting ended abruptly after an audience member threw a grape at one of the school board members.^{[citation needed]}

In April 2007, DPS announced that it was seeking to leave and sublease its space in the Fisher Building. The previous "takeover" school board rented parts of the building. Many consider the cost of rent too high, which is at $18.70 per square foot. Market prices in metro Detroit are $17.78 per square foot with a substantial 26.5% vacancy rate. Also, the district paid $39 million to upgrade the space. The school board is seeking to move its headquarters into one of an unused school building.^[20]

In June 2007, By Any Means Necessary announced that it intended to file a court injunction to stop the closing of several schools, on the grounds that such closures endanger students, especially disabled students whose programs would be affected.^[21]

In June 2007, after a Detroit Free Press investigation, DPS terminated contracts after paying $4.5 million for 14 last chance alternative or "contract" schools for dropouts run by churches and community groups. There were questions regarding the legality of the schools and the number of students actually attending. DPS received $1,459 of the state funding for each student, and paid the contractors the remaining $6,000. There was no set curriculum and educational experience was not a requirement to run a contract school.^{[citation needed]}

A July 30, 2007 report by the Detroit Free Press report revealed that an independent audit by the Miller Johnson firm of Grand Rapids found irregularities involving $46 million in wire transfers over at least 3 and 1/2 years. DPS is seeking criminal charges against former employees and contractors. Payments were made to insurance and consulting firms from the risk management department. Former DPS Chief Financial Officer Dori Freelain was dismissed due to previous concerns regarding some of the same wire transfers.^{[citation needed]}

August, 2007, the Michigan Department of Education fined Detroit Public Schools $6 million for operating an illegal alternative schools program. ^[22]

The online blog firejerryo.com reported that when reporters investigated one academy, the reporter witnessed students smoking weed in the school. ^[23]

DPS has closed its alternative schools program for the 2007-2008 school year, but intends to revamp it so that it fully complies with state laws for the 2008-2009 school year. ^[24]

The age and maintenance costs of DPS buildings is a financial concern of the district. In addition to ten newly built schools (eight elementary, two middle), five area high schools have either been remodeled or have new buildings. More than half of the city schools were built before 1930.^[25]

September 2007, Michigan Citizen reported that in the wake of fines for DPS's last chance district may grow to $28 million, along with $46 million in questionable payments to risk management vendors, three DPS executives have resigned. Hildred Pepper, Jr., chief of procurement and contracting, chief facilities manager Darrell Rodgers, General Counsel Jean-Vierre Adams all resigned. District officials, however, verified that none of the resignations were in fact related to the last chance schools or to the "questionable payments to risk management vendors." The DPS board also agreed on Aug. 16 voted to hire 26 employees of Long Insurance, LLC, and awarded a $314,188 contract to New Bridge Multi-Media, Inc. Both vendors are part of the insurance investigation. DPS board member Marie Thornton released a statement saying in part, “I believe today’s action taken by the Detroit Board of Education may prevent the FBI from reducing public corruption within the DPS system and further erodes public confidence in our education institution." ^[26]

At a special meeting of the board of education held on September 4, 2007, the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, a quorum being present, adopted by a majority vote (yeas: Kinloch, Johnson, Murry, Winfrey, Hayes-Giles, Womack / nays: Scott, Short, Carter Thornton) a resolution introduced by board member Jonathan Cleveland Kinloch authorizing a ballot measure be put before the school electorate of the City of Detroit and placed on the ballot for the General Election for November 6, 2007. The resolution would authorize the Board of Education to appoint an investigative officer with some judicial powers in conjunction with a court to investigate fraud, corruption, or misappropriation.^{[citation needed]}

September 14 2007, the Detroit News reported that 8 top DPS officials have resigned. Some accuse Superintendent Connie Calloway of bullying. However, Superintendent Calloway was quoted as saying "I cannot continue to take public spankings for doing what I promised -- that I am not going to lie, cheat and steal, and I'm not going to mishandle any resources you trust me with for the children of Detroit." ^[27]

October 9 2007, Oneita Jackson criticized Juanita Clay Chambers for writing a letter describing take home textbooks as a "privilege" and requiring parents to sign an agreement. This year is the first in which students in grades 3-8 will have to textbooks to take home and study.^[28]

October 23 2007, at a meeting of the Detroit School Board at Western High School, Essie Taylor, President of Stewart Learning Academy, expressed concerns, saying "We don’t have security. I know things take time, but we don’t have the time." She also stated "We have a sixth grade boys’ class with over 60 students. These children are not coming first." She also stated that the district made only 2 of 12 promised repairs. Deneshea Richey, a Cass Tech High School student, defended teacher Steve Conn after his suspension and arrest following a May 2007 student walk out. Superintendent Connie Calloway announce that Governor Jennifer Granholm had appointed Cass Tech Principal Lenora Ashford to the Michigan Technological University Board of Control. Every citizen who made a complaint was given a follow up interview by a school administrator. Deborah Fisher of DPS blamed a lack of text books in Detroit Public Schools on the transfer of 22,000 students, and the failure of each individual school to request additional textbooks in a timely manner.^[29]

December 6 2007, the Detroit Free Press reported that books and records were left to rot in closed Detroit Public Schools buildings. The 33 buildings don't appear to have been maintained, and neighbors are concerned. ^[30]

December 19 2007, columnist Daniel Howes of the Detroit News bluntly wrote, "In making the rounds this week of the city's dailies, the schools chief painted a picture of financial mismanagement that is stunning in its ineptitude, corruption and possible criminality. It's sickening, this mess that essentially says the education of 105,000 Detroit students is less important to bureaucrats than gaming an inefficient system awash in taxpayer dollars and crying for more.", in response to an apparent visit by Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Connie Calloway. ^[31]

DPS contractor Aramark Facilities Management was blamed for failing to properly secure schools closed on April 4 2007, incorrectly cited as having been paid a $15 million oversight fee for the work. The Aramark contract was for computer work and counting assets, and was for $498,644. The Michigan Citizen reported: "Including the Aramark contract, the $3.15 million Vacant Properties Security, Inc. contract for cement window coverings, and a $2.1 million contract with the MPS Group for “re-alignment cartage services,” only $5.8 million of the $18 million that the district estimated it would take to close the schools has surfaced."^[32]

Schools were flooded and textbooks destroyed before being boarded up for an additional $3.2 million in December 2007. Parents have been complaining about a lack of textbooks in the remaining schools. ^[33] The Union and community based organization Campaign for Quality Services has alleged that "Aramark has stolen rebates on food supplies intended for DPS" totaling $1.35 million, an additional $1 million in procurement fees annually, and that Aramark "overtook the School Food Authority". City High School and other closed schools were vandalized, with damages "at least in the millions". ^[34]

[edit] Employee Relations

On Wednesday, March 22, 2006 some of the teachers staged a "blackboard flu"^[35] in protest of administrators raises from 4.7% to 10.6%. 53 schools were closed, and 36,000 kids were sent home early.^[36]

In the 2006 contract negotiations, the district sought $88 million in reductions, but the Detroit Federation of Teachers (representing 7,000 teachers and 2,500 other employees) and other unions fought further pay cuts, and the district threatened to lay off 2,000 union employees in response.^[37] On Tuesday, August 22, thousands of DPS teachers protested further pay cuts, and demanded a pay increase. A district spokesman said that pay cuts for teachers was a necessary requirement for balancing the school's budget.^[38]. Teachers held a strike vote on Sunday, August 27, 2006.^[39]. The Teachers agreed to go on strike, closing school for three days and shortening the first day of school.

The Detroit Federation of Teachers requested a 15.6% pay increase for the highest income teachers, pointing out that they're making less than their counterparts in the suburbs. The median total compensation, including all benefits, for the Detroit Public Schools is $70,046, while the median teacher pay in the tri-county area is $76,100. Teachers concessions were still below the state mandated deficit reduction plan, and a prolonged strike was averted primarily because both sides recognized the threat of more children leaving the DPS for charter schools.^[40] In an appeal to teachers who are considering a wildcat strike, Detroit Superintendent William F. Coleman III argued that a strike would encourage more children to leave the district for suburban schools of choice and charter schools, exhasperating problems and forcing more layoffs and program cuts.^[41] Some blame the state takeover for the strike.^[42]

The teachers went on strike.^[43] County Circuit Court Judge Susan Borman ruled on September 8, 2006 that the teachers must return to work the following week.^[44][45] However, teachers defied this order.^[46]

Preliminary district enrollment figures showed that the district was down 25,000 students^[47], or more than twice as many as the 10,000 student loss originally budgeted. Actual loss was 12,350 students.

Relations between the DFT and the DPS continue to be strained. In Early November, 2006, Union President Jenna Garrison was escorted out DPS administrative offices in the Fisher Building after refusing to leave while inquiring about $780,000 in union dues she said the district owed. DPS officials responded that DFT owes them about $1 million in fines. The previous day DPS notified DFT that it intended to pursue contempt of court charges against the union relating to the 2006 teacher's strike.^[48]

On November 9, 2006, DPS laid off 907 lunch aides and 713 teachers. Aides are union members of the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals, and typically make near minimum wages. A recent minimum wage hike was a factor in the layoffs.^[49]

DPS may close 10 last chance academies,^[50][51] due to labor disagreements between the DFT and DPS^[52].

DPS pays 14.55% of each employee's salary to the Office of Retirement Services to cover the costs of participation in the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System.^[53]

In 1999 Detroit teachers staged a wildcat strike, using the slogan "Books, Supplies, Lower Class Size!"

[edit] Student Achievement

A June 2007 study by Education Week found that Detroit had the lowest graduation rate of any large school district in the 2003-2004 school year; 24.9%. In a previous report by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Detroit Public Schools also ranked last among 50 large school districts for the percentage of students who receive a high school diploma on time with a rate of 21.7%.^[54] DPS claims that the methods employed are flawed, and that the correct figure is 67.2%. In both cases, DPS officials indicated that the report did not take into account the large numbers of students that it lost to suburban and charter schools.^{[citation needed]} The Director of the research center countered that DPS's numbers lacked credibility, saying that "[People in Detroit] know it doesn't reflect reality in city schools."^{[citation needed]} A Free Press editorial condemned the controversy, said that DPS is failing most of its students, called on DPS to learn from charter schools, and called on the Michigan State Board of Education to develop better methods of tracking students.^{[citation needed]} A June 11 editorial from Interim Superintendent Lamont Satchel asserted that DPS serves its students well, and that University Prep "has the luxury of selective admissions".^{[citation needed]} Michigan law forbids charter schools from selectively admitting students.

DPS academic performance is improving. For 2002-2006, fourth grader reading proficiency rose from 43% to 55% on Michigan standardized tests. Eighth Grade reading improved from 34% to 42%.^{[citation needed]} Results for individual schools are available online. ^[55] Glazer Elementary School, serving many poor students, beat the DPS and statewide averages for MEAP scores, and was honored with a $100,000 grant by the Skilman foundation.^{[citation needed]} However, 59 schools still do not meet adequate yearly progress requirements. ^[56] Most schools that fail to meet those requirements fail on both language and mathematics requirements.

Active Schools failing to meet adequate yearling progress for 2006 and 2007 school year: ^[57]

School Name	Grades Tested	Ed Yes! Grade
Barbara Jordan Elementary	3 - 8	D-Alert
Barbour Magnet Middle School	6 - 8	C
Boynton Elementary-Middle School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Burt Elementary School	3 - 7	D-Alert
Carver Elementary School	3 - 8	C
Cleveland Middle School	6 - 8	C
Coffey Elementary/Middle School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Columbus Middle School	6 - 8	D-Alert
Courtis Elementary School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Crary Elementary School	3 - 6	C
Davison Elementary School	3 - 6	C
Detroit Lions Alternative	6 - 8	D-Alert
Dixon Elementary School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Drew Middle School	6 - 8	D-Alert
Erma Henderson Upper School	5 - 8	C
Farwell Middle School	6 - 8	D-Alert
Greenfield Union Elementary School	3 - 8	C
Hamilton Elementary School	3 - 6	C
Harding Elementary School	3 - 8	C
Holmes, A.L. Elementary School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Houghten Elementary School	3 - 7	C
Lessenger Elementary-Middle School	6 - 8	C
Marquette Elementary School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Marshall, Thurgood Elementary School	3 - 7	B
McNair Middle School	6 - 8	C
Munger Elementary School	6 - 8	C
Murphy Elementary-Middle School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Noble Elementary School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Nolan Elementary School	6 - 8	C
Parker Elementary School	3 - 7	C
Phoenix Elementary	6 - 8	D-Alert
Priest Elementary	3 - 6	C
Pulaski Elementary School	3 - 8	C
Richard Elementary School	3 - 8	C
Robinson Middle School	6 - 8	C
Schulze Elementary School	3 - 7	C
Scott, Brenda Middle School	6 - 8	C
Stephens Elementary School	3 - 8	C
Trix Elementary School	3 - 8	D-Alert
Vetal Elementary School	3 - 8	C
Westside Multicultural	3 - 8	C
White Elementary School	3 - 7	D-Alert

Inactive schools that failed to meet AYP for the 2006-2007 school year were Cooper Elementary School, Courville Elementary School, Greenfield Park Elementary School, Hanneman Elementary School, MacCulloch Elementary School, McMichael Middle School, Miller Middle School, Monnier Elementary School, Ruddiman Middle School, Sherrard Elementary School, and Winship Elementary School. ^[58]

Academic performance under the Superintendent and new school board has been increasing. On January 27, 2007, the local Detroit Newspapers have reported that Detroit Public Schools' students showed performance gains in reading and math at each tested grade this year on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program.^{[citation needed]}

A team of DPS students from Best Western International and Murray-Wright High School took second place out of 552 teams from 25 countries in a robotics competition in Atlanta. DPS students, most notably Bates Academy students, also did well at the 42nd annual Academic Olympics in Eatonton, Georgia, winning many honors. The Duffield elementary and middle school chess teams both finished first in the 2007 statewide competition, and did well in the national competition.^{[citation needed]} At a previous Annual National Academic Games Olympics, DPS students won 25 individual and 20 team first place awards.^[59][60]

103 of Detroit Public School's 225 schools did not meet the goals in the Federal No Child Left Behind Act, up from 63 last year.^{[citation needed]} Barbour Magnet Middle School met the federal standards for the first time in years. It would have been closed in June had it not met standards.^{[citation needed]}

70,000 students are eligible for free tutoring under the No Child Left Behind Act, but only 10% of them participate. Many observers blame the Detroit Public Schools for failing to adequately publicize the availability of tutoring by the November 19 deadline, and not using radio adds or other media, for financial reasons.^{[citation needed]} Students in schools not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress ^[61] as measured by the Michigan Department of Education are eligible,^[62] but must sign up by November 19.

As part of a nationwide study, John Hopkins University labeled the following DPS schools as "dropout factories" because less than 60% of incoming freshmen made it to their senior year^[63]:

School Name
Cass Technical
Central
Chadsey
Communication & Media Arts
Cooley
Davis Aerospace
Denby
Finney
Ford
Kettering
Mackenzie
Murray-Wright
Northern
Northwestern
Osborn
Pershing
Redford
Southeastern
Southwestern
Western International
Detroit School of Industrial Arts
Weston Technical Academy

In December, 2007, the Detroit Free Press reported that the Department of Education for the State of Michigan warned the Detroit Public Schools that it would be forced to fine DPS for failing to provide private tutoring for children in failing schools, and for failing to allow those students to transfer to a different school.^[64]

In a December 24, 2007 Detroit News editorial, Reverend Edgar Vann called on DPS to stop school gang violence as a necessary prerequisite to improving student performance, saying "we have violence that causes some schools at times to be virtually out of control. This is not conducive for learning." ^[65]

The Detroit Free Press summarized its editorial position on Detroit Public Schools saying "We have embraced charter schools that may force improvement in public schools, particularly in urban areas such as Detroit, where public education is a disaster. However, we favor strict monitoring of charter schools and limits on the number of them. We oppose vouchers as impractical in many urban areas and a more direct assault on the financing that’s needed to shore up the public systems." ^[66]

On March 29, 2006, students at Mackenzie High in Detroit staged a walkout to protest the lack of textbooks and toilet paper. 32 were arrested, with 8 charged for disorderly conduct, and 1 for inciting to riot. Students complained that they had only one textbook per 3 students, an administrator had an expensive plasma television, amid allegations of a missing $3,000, and leaking roofs which damaged 45 new computers in storage. ^{[67] [68]} The Detroit police department also enforced the parental responsibility act, fining parents up to $500 for the behavior of their children. The ACLU is considering challenging the parental responsibility ordinance. ^[69]

During school closing protests on May 1, 2007, Detroit police maced young children and dragged bound students during arrests of 5 students and 7 juveniles. ^[70] 12 students are suing DPS with the assistance of BAMN. ^[71]

[edit] Charter School Competition

Detroit also has a public charter school system with about 54,000 Detroit students. When charter school and Detroit Public Schools enrollments are combined, the total number of children in public schools in Detroit has increased.^[72] If 2007 growth trends continue, fewer of Detroit's public school students will be attending charter schools than the Detroit Public Schools during the 2009-2010 school year. This shift is sometimes called "black flight".^[73]

Officials at the Detroit Public Schools and Detroit Federation of Teachers oppose the expansion of charter schools. A previous plan for 15 new charter high schools was scuttled. Philanthropist Bob Thompson is backing a new University Preparatory Academy High School.^[74]

University Preparatory Academy are elementary, middle, and high schools which have shown test scores above averages for Detroit Public Schools.^[75] Their goal is to graduate 90% of incoming freshmen and have 90% of those graduates go on to college. They intend to meet that goal for the first time this year. They pay for ACT college admissions tests, there are no bells between classes. They lease a building from philanthropist Bob Thompson for $1.00 per year on condition of meeting student performance goals.^[76] However, these scores are below high performing DHS schools with selective enrollment such as Bates Academy, Burton International and Renaissance High School.

There have been significant calls for the Detroit Public Schools to cooperate more with charters, including renting abandoned schools to charters, and to learn from successful charter schools. DPS has indicated that it is not "interested in creating schools that are not part of the traditional public school system".

If DPS looses its "first class status" by falling under 100,000 students, more charter schools will be allowed to open in Detroit. The Detroit News argued against laws to change this, saying "the district is still betraying its students. Detroit's school system needs the threat of losing its first-class status and its consequences because nothing else has worked. Not a state takeover. Not the steady loss of students. Not a much-heralded reform school board. Not a long parade of bright superintendents.Only now do the administrative bureaucracy and teacher union seem open to change because their fates -- and their livelihoods -- are at stake." ^[77].

In May 2008, the DPS board renewed contracts with six charter schools for two years. DPS leases some closed school buildings to charter school operators. ^[78]

[edit] Elected Officials

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been in talks with University Preparatory Academy and others for months to establish more charter and private schools in Detroit.^[79] Kilpatrick spearheaded a failed Proposal-E in 2005 to run the schools, considered another proposal to do the same in 2006. [1] The Mayor is seeking approval from the state to open 25 additional charter schools.^[80]

The members of the board of education are:^[81]

• Rev. Jimmy Womack, M.D. President
• Joyce V. Hayes-Giles, Esq. (District 5) Vice President
• Rev. David Murray (At Large)
• Carla D. Scott, M.D.(District 1)
• Jonathan Cleveland Kinloch (District 2)
• Annie Carter (District 3)
• Tyrone Winfrey (District 4)
• Ida Short (At Large)
• Paula Johnson, Esq. (District 6)
• Marvis Cofield (District 7)
• Marie L. Thornton (At Large)

As a district with 100,000 students or more, Detroit Public Schools enjoys a special first-class status under state law. However, that distinction, which brings in "thousands of dollars in additional funds and other benefits" will probably be lost in the next 18 months due to declining enrollment. State Rep. Bettie Cook Scott, D-Detroit, a group of state legislators have introduced a bill that would allow the district to keep its first-class status by lowering the threshold to 75,000 students. ^[82].

On September 14, the board voted 8-3 to suspend elected member Marie Thornton for 60 days. Some observers felt that this was in retaliation for her past and present objections to many contracts, including a contract with Hercules voted on at the same meeting. She was also barred from "Informal Sessions" between the school board and administrators, which are not subject to the open meeting act, and which she claims are illegal. No discussion was allowed before the motion was approved, and she was only there because two citizens drove several hours to pick her up from Kalamazoo at the last minute. She also reportedly recorded informal sessions and disclosed information to the public without authorization from the board. She was suspended under the board's decorum policy. Board members ignored her vote at subsequent meetings. [2]

The Call'Em Out Coalition awarded Detroit Board of Education President Dr. Jimmy Womack its Sambo award for what it claims are his actions in "selling out" Detroit and African Americans. [3]

March 2007, the DPS board removed Superintendent William Coleman, elected Dr. Connie Calloway as its new superintendent, and placed Lamont Satchel as Interim Superintendent. Coleman will still be paid for the remainder of his contract. [4]

Marie Thornton was involved in a physical confrontation with Reverend Loyce Lester after a Detroit School Board meeting in September 2007. Thorton said that Lester shoved her, security didn't act, and she shoved him back. Lester said that Thornton started the incident. ^[83] The online blog firejerryo.com reported that the incident report says that Thorton used offensive language when addressing Lester. ^[84]

Conflicts between DPS board member Marie Thornton and Board President Jimmy Womack continue to increase, with Marie Thorton securing a temporary restraining order against sanctions placed on her by the DPS board after an altercation she was involved with at a previous DPS board meeting. Thornton complained the sanctions process was secretive, and Womack accused her of putting on a "show". ^[85]

The restraining order prevents the board from removing Thornton from contract and audit committees, and informal sessions. Her attorney described it as a defacto removal from the board. Thornton said, "This was a vote to disenfranchise me, and the rights of the 91,338 voters who elected me. They did it because I’ve been sounding the alarm bell for two years. I exposed the $46 million wire transfer deal, told them the contract schools were illegal, opposed Aramark contracts, and opposed the school closings. It’s time for the people to rise up—if they can do this to me, they can do this to the next elected official." ^[86]

[edit] Miscellany

Detroit Public Schools has created a district wide uniform dress code.^[87] This includes mandatory identification badges. ^[88] Several schools, including Bates Academy already had uniform dress codes.^[89]

Auto supplier ArvinMeritor and Southwestern High School have a strong cooperative relationship, in which students and former students of the high school largely make up the staff of the auto supplier, and the auto supplier makes generous donations to the high school.^[90]

On July 31, 2006, the Detroit Public Schools announced a $500,000 media campaign with the theme "Come Home to DPS" focusing on unique and high achieving students and programs in the district. The purpose of the program is to attract families who are increasingly sending their children to charter schools. Referring to the loss of students, Lekan Oguntoyinbo, district spokesman, was quoted as saying, "If we don't do anything, pretty soon we're not going to have a school district." Some observers indicated that the program may already be too late, as many parents decide where to send their children in the spring, rather than late summer.^[91] This followed a similar media campaign.^[92]

On August 31, 2007, Detroit Public Schools announced that they have opened a Detroit Police mini-station in Henry Ford High School. Detroit Free Press article indicated that police mini-stations are planned for Cody, Cooley, Northwestern and Central high schools. ^[93] DPS maintains its own sworn and armed police officers. ^[94]

In December 2007, a bus driver taking special needs children to school allegedly solicited an undercover police officer posing as a prostitute while driving his school bus. ^[95]

The Kiwanis Club, founded in Detroit 93 years ago, continues to hold an annual party for disabled children of the Detroit Public Schools for the last 20 years. ^[96]

[edit] Schools

[edit] Kindergarten and 7-12 schools

• Boykin Continuing Education Center (optional)

[edit] 7-12 schools

(Zoned)

• Cleveland Middle School

(Alternative)

• Douglass Academy
• Ferguson Academy for Young Women

[edit] High schools

Mumford HIgh School Cody high school henry ford high school

[edit] Zoned high schools

• Central High School
• Chadsey High School
• Cody High School
  • Cody 9th Grade Academy
• Cooley High School
• Denby Technical & Preparatory High School
• Finney High School
• Henry Ford High School
• Kettering High School
• King High School
• Mackenzie High School
• Mumford High School
• Murray-Wright High School
• Northern High School
• Northwestern High School
• Osborn High School
• Pershing High School
• Redford High School
• Southeastern High School
• Southwestern High School
• Western International High School

[edit] Optional high schools

• Barsamian Preparatory Center
• Cass Technical High School
• Communication & Media Arts High School
• Crockett High School
• Crosman Alternative High School
• Davis Aerospace High School
• Detroit City High School
• Detroit High School for Technology
• Detroit School of Arts
• Detroit International Academy for Young Women
• Millennium School
• Renaissance High School
• Trombly Alternative High School
• West Side Academy Alternative Education

[edit] PreK-8 schools

[edit] Zoned PreK-8 schools

• Bethune Academy
• Blackwell Institute
• Boynton Elementary/Middle School
• Burns Elementary School
• Burton International School
• Butzel Elementary/Middle School
• Detroit Open School
• Duffield Elementary School
• Durfee Elementary School
• Fisher Magnet
• Fitzgerald Elementary School
• Golightly Education Center
• Greenfield Union Elementary School
• A. L. Holmes Elementary School
• Jemison School of Choice
• Barbara Jordan Elementary School
• Law Elementary School
• MacCulloch Elementary School a.k.a. Stewart Elementary School
• Marquette Elementary School
• Noble Elementary School
• Robeson Academy
• Sherrill Elementary School
• Mark Twain Elementary School
• Westside Multicultural Academy

[edit] Alternative PreK-8 schools

• Academy of The Americas

[edit] K-8 schools

[edit] Zoned K-8 schools

• Ann Arbor Trail Magnet Middle School
• Carver Elementary School
• Coffey Elementary/Middle School
• Courtis Elementary School
• Dixon Elementary School
• Drew Middle School
• Garvey Academy
• Lessenger Elementary-Middle School
• Malcolm X Academy
• Frank Murphy Elementary/Middle School
• Nichols Elementary School
• Nolan Elementary School
• Owen Academy
• Phoenix Elementary School
• Pulaski Elementary School
• Richard Elementary School
• Sampson Academy
• Spain Elementary School
• Trix Elementary School
• Vetal Elementary School
• Winterhalter Elementary School

[edit] Alternative K-8 schools

• Bates Academy
• Edward (Duke) Ellington Conservatory of Music/Art
• Foreign Language Immersion
• Hancock Preparatory Center
• Langston Hughes Academy
• Hutchins Elementary School

[edit] 5-8 schools

(Zoned)

• Farwell Middle School
• Erma Henderson Upper School

(Alternative)

• Clippert Academy
• Ludington Magnet Middle School

[edit] 6-8 schools

(Zoned)

• Barbour Magnet Middle School
• Cerveny Middle School
• Columbus Middle School
• Earhart Middle School
• McNair Middle School
• Robinson Middle School
• Brenda Scott Middle School

(Alternative)

• Hally Magnet Middle School
• Heilmann Park Middle School

[edit] PK-6 schools

(Zoned)

• Bagley Elementary School
• Ronald Brown Academy
• Burt Elementary School
• Dossin Elementary School
• Guyton Elementary School
• Jamieson Elementary School
• John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy
• MacDowell Elementary School
• Thurgood Marshall Elementary School
• McKenny Elementary School
• Pasteur Elementary School
• Schulze Elementary School
• Stephens Elementary School

[edit] K-6 schools

(Zoned)

• Birney Elementary School
• Cooke Elementary School
• Munger Elementary School
• Vernor Elementary School

[edit] PreK-5 schools

(Zoned)

• Coolidge Elementary School
• Emerson Elementary School
• Harding Elementary School

[edit] Defunct schools

• Roosevelt Elementary School (Closed 1990) [5])

• Breitmeyer Elementary School (Closed 1990)

[edit] Former High Schools

• Benedictine High School

• Brandon High School

• Condon High School

• Dominican High School

• East Commerce High School

• Harris High School

• Loyola High School

• Mackenzie High School

• Miller High School

• Murray-Wright High School

• Newark High School

• Regina High School

• Rosary High School

• Ruddiman High School

• Salesian High School

• Ser-Casa High School

• Servite High School

• Visitation High School

• Wright High School (Before The Merger)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Detroit Public Schools
• The Theory and Practice of Constructing Hope: The Detroit Teachers' Wildcat Strike 1999 by Rich Gibson
• Detroit Teachers Strike Again by Rich Gibson
• Newspaper Articles about DPS and Detroit
• Images of the abandoned Detroit Public Schools Book Depository

v • d • e Detroit Public Schools (DPS) Zoned high schools Central • Chadsey • Cody • Cooley • Denby Technical & Preparatory • Finney • Ford • Kettering • King • Mackenzie • Mumford • Murray-Wright • Northern • Northwestern • Osborn • Pershing • Redford • Southeastern • Southwestern • Western International Optional high schools Barsamian Preparatory Center • Cass Technical • Communication & Media Arts • Crockett • Crosman • Davis Aerospace • Detroit City • Detroit High School for Technology • Detroit School of the Arts • Ferguson Academy for Young Women • Millennium School • Renaissance • Trombly Alternative • West Side Academy Alternative Education