DPSCD REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Education

Tuesday, March 19, 2024
5:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. EDT

View meeting details

Add to iCal

Add to Google Calendar

Remote

View the meeting online: https://www.detroitk12.org/boardmeeting

Agendas and more can be found at DPSCD BoardDocs: https://www.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/Public

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team

Note-taking by Zaara Noor

Board members spent more than two hours in closed session prior to hearing public comment. Several commenters appeared to have left by the time they were called on. The district will not pursue an investigation into the principal at Thirkell Elementary-Middle School.

View notes

Live reporting by Amber Umscheid

The school board amended their agenda to go into closed session prior to hearing public comment. Board members spent more than two hours in closed session. Those attending to give comments could be heard verbally protesting.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle

Good evening! I'll be live-tweeting the Detroit Public Schools Board Meeting at 5:30pm for @DetDocumenters. #DetroitDocumenters media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep
@media_outlier @metrotimes @michigan_public
@PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit

04:23 PM Mar 19, 2024 CDT

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 2/52

Tonight's meeting will be available to tune in on the school's website >>

detroitk12.org/boardmeeting

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 3/52

Tonight's agenda can be found online as well but I will share portions as we go here in the live tweets >>

go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Boa…

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 4/52

We can see folks walking and shuffling around but no announcement of starting has been made yet.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 5/52

Meeting has been called to order at 5:36pm. There is not a quorum present. The meeting started with a moment of silence for Xavier Carr, Gail Coleman, Mikyle Covington, and Jewel Lenard.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 6/52

Student presentations for today include The Color Guards from Communications and Media Arts High School and students from Renaissance High School performing the Star Spangled Banner.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 7/52

We are cruising along without even a breath😅
We are all the way to item 6 with Chair remarks.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 8/52

Chair Remarks -
-over 50 employees created packages with a book called Spark and chair is giving shout outs.
-Donation from Detroit Piston's Cunningham to create Care Closets.
-DPSCD student Arthur Mcghee was accepted to Julliard today and she shouts congratulations to him.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 9/52

Student Report -
-All bathroom concerns with being locked have been addressed.
-Dr. Seuss Day and Book Drive were hosted successfully.
-Some students went to Lansing to advocate during March is Reading Month.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 10/52

I feel like we are listening to this meeting at 1.5x speed! There isn't much being shared on the screen so bear with me as I try to catch everything important.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 11/52

Finance Report --
DPS received $17.7M in 13 mil receipts, current 13 mill tax receipt reserves are $75.1M. DPS received $17.4M in 18 mill receipts, supplemental payments of $2.8M were made in January.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 12/52

Benefits costs are higher based on an increase in employer retirement contribution rates this year. Expenditures are still expected to be above forecast.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 13/52

Superintendent Report --
-Recognition to Chair Peterson-Mayberry for her 15 years of service and she was recognized by United Way for her community contributions.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 14/52

Blueprint 2023 Metrics (the image below is what they are sharing on screen, yes it is that blurry...)
Reenrollment rate is about 70%, daily attendance is about 83%, chronic absence rate is 63%, and 54% of students are showing one year of growth in literacy.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 15/52

-Growing a bit concerned about teacher vacancies, looking at increasing salaries and bonus opportunities.
-Currently have two paraprofessional vacancies.
-Current upward trend in literacy that if continued, could surpass state averages.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 16/52

-Ballmer grant will allow summer school to be expanded. Registration will be released in the next few weeks.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 17/52

Question asked how we are retaining and attracting cafeteria staff --
Dr. Vitti answered the pay rate was raised, full benefits are offered, and a pathway to retirement is present.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 18/52

Question asked about internship and externships.
Dr. Vitti responded that they needed to normalize post pandemic first, and now that they are heading there, part of the high school reform plan will include more focus on grade 9 to set students up for success.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 19/52

Questions about FAFSA requirements required to graduate.
Responses included students stating that would be helpful, and some concerns were raised about making it required versus just more available. One of the board members talked about FAFSA parties that other districts have.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 20/52

This meeting will now move to closed session. Following closed session will be public comment.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 21/52

The meeting went into closed session at 6:40pm, it is now 8pm with no updates on how much longer. I'll be hanging here until we are back for public comment.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 22/52

It is now 8:30pm and still no sign of the board's return. The auditorium that can be seen on the screen is starting to look emptier and emptier.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 23/52

Exactly two hours later, they are back. Shouting from the audience can be heard, "do your job!".

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 24/52

Unidentifiable board member asked to vote on items 12.01, 12.02, & 12.03 prior to public comment. The public can be heard protesting this request.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 25/52

Sounds like all three items were motioned and carried. One board member objected.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 26/52

🚨 public comment begins - 3 minutes each.
There are 31 folks signed up in person, and an unknown amount of virtual comments.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 27/52

The first two on the list were no longer present.
Talking about a move to new building but hasn't been allotted time to pack her room up and she should use her prep. Students pulled for ELA but no bonuses for science people. Raises also needed for teachers.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 28/52

Speaking on behalf of Audiologists and their exclusion from the bonuses.
"The way this went down, not ideal" speaking of the session and vote. Asking for legitimate proposal and bargaining. Culture is deplorable and turnover is so high. Structural issues need addressing.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 29/52

Curriculum is a joke, especially the science. Money is great but the culture needs to change. Teachers are afraid to speak up.
General Ed teachers are stepping up to support the shortage of paras, social workers, etc. Not getting paid enough but will continue to work hard

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 30/52

Presenting a petition to host Summer Discovery Learning at Noble Elementary.
Audiologist for DPSCD speaking behalf of not being included in the ESE bonus. She is 1 of 7 on staff.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 31/52

"Leaving us out here for two hours is the culture of this school" Requests an initiative for a drug free school, does not want it tolerated at all as a district.
Supporting Noble petition. Give students an opportunity to keep the skills they learn through the summer.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 32/52

Representing one of the security officers that was terminated at today's meeting. She was sexually assaulted June 2021 by Mr. Johnson who is close to Dr. Vitti and since making the claim her career was destroyed.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 33/52

"How long are we going to lease Marygrove when they don't even have books over there?"

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 34/52

DFT building representative discussing the highest turnover at her building bc of a pattern of abuse and retaliation.
Also DFT, 30 years in the district, and she has never worked with admin that causes such fear.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 35/52

Requesting conditions be changed at Thirkell, speaks of a student was expelled for being pushed by a teacher.
Reporting principal Gaines at Thirkell for abuse had no impact. Staff is afraid of speaking up. Staff are asked everyday for duties outside job descriptions.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 36/52

DFT member asks the board if they expect to retain the quality teachers they already have with the continued disrespect they are shown.
The next 3 folks were no longer present.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 37/52

Left Thirkell after 13 years by her request. Requesting ESE kindergarten so students can succeed.
Asking the board to change the library seat to 5 years and some months rather than 6 years for better succession.
23 and 25 are no longer present.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 38/52

Speaks of importance of libraries and where the funding goes with tax captures and how we need to change that.
Needs folks to show up in Lansing to represents our students. And says we need to show them how to act so students know what to do when they get to our seats.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 39/52

DFT representative speaks in regards to children's museum that is out of service due to a ramp, when will it be back in operation? With contract renewals, what is being done with those stuck on the pay scale. Need to keep staff retained and not pay new teachers more than us.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 40/52

"Why do school admin muddy waters of already muddy situation with fear tactics?" These situations have been going on for way too long.
Speaking in regard to the $15k bonus, "Stop. The. Division." Everyone should be treated fairly and equitably.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 41/52

Questioned forms he was required to fill out regarding donations from Dec 2023 when he didn't have to fill them out in previous years. Would like a full investigation into the allegations against him.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 42/52

Another DFT rep, "what is the urgency with extending Dr. Vitti's contract?". Can the board address why certain staff do not have adequate technology?

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 43/52

Moving to responses --
-Malcom X staff will be assisted in moving items, just not personal items.
-extra microscopes available in the warehouse.
-teacher's salary have increased 20-21% since 2017 not including bonuses.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 44/52

-Audiologists did not get bonuses due to vacancies in ESE staff and none in their department.
-Noble was not identified for summer school because it only has partial air conditioning.
-Dr. Vitti plans to send letter to city council asking to increase drug awareness of edibles.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 45/52

-long term lease with Marygrove with support from Kresge and UofM.
-no record of CMA heat but will look into after comment.
-science workbooks are available in color digitally.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 46/52

-interviews are being done with staff at Thirkell but will not be investigating allegations because they are not fraud. They will be looked at those individually if staff put names with allegations.
(Ms. Moore and others from the audience are shouting)

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 47/52

-panoramic survey states comments can be read by anyone but still anonymously.
-all sexual harassment allegations were investigated.
-children's museum ramp should be in place by summer.
-graduation rates are audited by State of Michigan, currently 74%.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 48/52

Board members advocate for using Noble. Dr. Vitti stated it creates inconsistencies due to heat. A comment that this will be discussed offline.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 49/52

Board member says "it's insulting to have that many educators saying the same thing about the leader" speaking about the comments made about Thirkell. She wants to see a timeline put in place and not sweep this under the rug.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 50/52

Detroit Public Library Commission Appointment. Top two candidates were one point difference. The names are not listed on the screen so I cannot state them here. The candidate with the highest points was moved and appointed.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 51/52

These were all supported.

Amber, she/her @organizedoracle 52/52

That concludes today's live tweets from @Detroitk12 Board Meeting. For more coverage, visit #detdocumenters.
If you believe anything is inaccurate, please email documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.

documenters.org

View thread

Attachments

Transcript and recording

By Noah Kincade 3/19/2024

Audio only

By Noah Kincade 3/19/2024

Agency Information

Detroit Public Schools Community District

www.detroitk12.org

(313) 240-4377

See Documenters reporting

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is Michigan’s largest public education system. It is governed by a locally-elected, seven-member board. The District’s mission is to provide every student with a beneficial and rightful educational experience, preparing students to be career and college ready, and qualified to compete in the global market. The District has 106 schools and educates 50,000 children.