UPDATE! DPSCD is Back-2-School August 29!

Posted by Lamar Weir on 8/26/2022 5:15:00 PM

Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about DPSCD’s 2022-23 Picking the Perfect School Guide , your comprehensive resource for enrolling in a DPSCD school this fall. A reminder, the 2022-23 school year starts on Monday, August 29, 2022. We can’t wait to see you in a DPSCD school.

The District has a school for all learners and students. District teachers and staff are prepared to offer students an amazing educational experience, and we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population.

Happy 2022-2023 School Year!

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UPDATE! School Supplies Sales Tax Exemption

Posted by Lamar Weir on 8/19/2022 12:00:00 PM

Happy Friday DPSCD Supporters!

The District is just ten days away from the first day of school on August 29! Although the state legislature is still on summer recess, we are still working hard to engage the community and provide updates. This week’s legislative update features Governor Whitmer’s recent education proposal.

Governor Whitmer Proposes Suspending Sales Tax on Schools Supplies

As summer vacation is ending for many, families and educators are flooding all the stores to obtain school supplies, hoping to catch sales and discounts. The cost of school supplies can increase, especially if you have a family of multiple students or are an educator getting supplies for multiple classes. Governor Whitmer recently proposed suspending the sales tax on school supplies as a part of her MI Back to School Plan. This is aimed to help families save money, help educators save on classroom expenses, and ensure that more students have access to educational resources.

Even with the recent passing of the increased education budget, there is still a wage gap between educators and other professions with similar education and skills. Knowing this, the IRS has allowed educators to deduct up to $250 of out-of-pocket classroom supplies since 2002 and will potentially rise in $50 increments based on inflation adjustments in future years. The Governor’s proposal for Michigan is similar to Florida’s sales tax holiday in which certain school supplies, learning resources, and clothing were tax exempt from July 25 until August 7. The proposed school supplies tax suspension would save $54 per child, if passed.

Nationwide, education funding has been a major issue and concern for schools and educators. Although this will not completely solve the education funding inequities, it is a step in the right direction. The District is committed to ensuring it provides students receive a high-quality education. Community and grassroots advocacy must continue because our students deserve equitable funding.

To conclude, the District continues to monitor legislative updates and looks forward to collaborating with the community. Text DPSCDVOTES to 22999 to stay up-to-date with news and events within the District.

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UPDATE! Summer Recap

Posted by Lamar Weir on 8/15/2022 3:00:00 PM

Happy Monday DPSCD Community!

We are just 2 weeks away from the first day of school (August 29)! Schools hosted their Back-2-School events and are gearing up to welcome school staff back! This week’s legislative update will feature a summer recap, and the District’s community engagement efforts.

A Very Special Visit to DPSCD

First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona visited DPSCD’s Schulze Academy on Thursday, July 21. The visit highlighted the District’s summer school programs that were funded through American Rescue Plan Covid relief dollars. Schulze Academy is one of 19 in-person locations for the District’s Summer Learning Experiences program. After observing enrichment programming including a photography lesson and cooking lesson from local organizations, Dr. Cardona said, “For me, not only as an educator, but as a father, I love what I saw today. I love the fact that American Rescue Plan dollars are providing opportunities for students… Yes they’re learning to cook. Yes, they’re learning photography. And they feel good about themselves.”

A parent of three students who attend Schulze Academy spoke about the positive impact of the District's summer programming saying, “While my students are here, I’m able to work, which is just amazing in itself right there…The class, the opportunities, the money, everything just makes the program more valuable.”

Community Engagement

One of the District’s main priorities is to share the story of DPSCD with our most important stakeholders - the community. On Thursday afternoons in July and August, the Government and Community Affairs team, along with other teams in the District, hosted resource tables at Summer on the Block events. This time was used to educate parents and families about the advocacy work that the Government and Community Affairs team is completing on behalf of students. Many parents also signed up to receive text messages and email newsletter with updates on the Government and Community Affairs’ advocacy efforts in Lansing.

If you have visited Detroit’s Eastern Market on Sundays, you have also seen District Community Engagement Leaders hosting a resource table! The staff there aid with District enrollment, provide District and legislative updates, empower grassroots advocacy efforts, and get community stakeholders signed up for employment and volunteer opportunities. Be sure to stop by the table and get some District swag.

To conclude, the District continues to monitor legislative updates and looks forward to collaborating with the community. Text DPSCDVOTES to 22999 to stay up-to-date with news and events within the District.

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UPDATE! August Primary Election Results

Posted by Lamar Weir on 8/5/2022 5:15:00 PM

The 2022 Michigan Primary Election took place on Tuesday, August 2. This election determined which candidates will be on the ballot for the General Election in November. A crowded Republican gubernatorial race field ended with Tudor Dixon winning handily. She will be running against the incumbent, Governor Whitmer, in November’s election.

Michigan Congressional Representatives

At the federal level, candidates for the newly drawn 12th and 13th Congressional Districts, both of which represent Detroit, were on the ballot. Rashida Tlaib, who currently represents the 13th District, successfully fended off Democratic primary challengers to win the newly drawn 12th District. In November, she will face Republican Steven Elliott. Meanwhile, the newly drawn 13th district drew several Democratic challengers, including current State Senator Adam Hollier and State House Representative Shri Thanedar. Thanedar won the congressional race and will be challenged by Republican Martell Bivings, who ran unopposed, in November.

Michigan State Senate

Detroiters heavily favored incumbents Erika Geiss, Sylvia Santana, and Stephanie Chang in state senate elections. In District 1 Geiss will face Republican challenger Erick Soderquist, while in District 2, Senator Santana will face Harry Sawicki. In District 6, current State Representative Mary Cavanagh will take on Ken Crider to fill the seat vacated by incumbent State Senator Betty Jean Alexander. District 8 saw two current Democratic incumbents facing each other, with State Senator Mallory McMorrow moving on to face Republican challenger Brandon Ronald Simpson after her primary victory.

Michigan State House

Tyrone Carter, current representative of District 6, will face Republican challenger Paula Campbell to represent the redrawn 1st District. In District 4, incumbent Representative Karen Whitsett defended her seat and will face Republican challenger Tonya Wells. Voters in District 5 will choose between Democrat Natalie Price and Republican Paul Taro. Voters in District 7 chose incumbent State Representative Helena Scott, and her Republican opponent for November is currently unknown. Mike McFall won the 8th District and will face Republican Rob Noble for the seat. Current State Representative Abraham Aiyash survived a primary challenge for District 9, and his opponent will be Republican Michele Lundgren. Current Democratic representative Joseph Tate will face Republican challenger Mark Corcoran in District 10 while over in District 13, Incumbent State Representative Lori Stone hopes to hold off challenger Robert Singer. District 14 voters supported Donovan McKinney, and he will face Republican Wendy Watters. In District 16, current State Representative Stephanie Young will face Republican Keith Jones.

Proposition J

Wayne County voters saw countywide Proposition J on their ballots. This proposition sought to renew the millage authorized in 2012, authorizing Wayne County to continue to levy this millage at the 2021 rollback rate of .9358 mills (94 cents per thousand dollars of taxable valuation) for ten more years (2022 through 2031) for Wayne Counties jail system. Nearly 63% of voters voted in favor of this proposal.

Position	Democratic Nominee	Republican Nominee
State Senate District 1	Erika Geiss	Erik Soderquist
State Senate District 2	Sylvia Santana	Harry Sawicki
State Senate District 3	Stephanie Chang	NONE
State Senate District 6	Mary Cavanagh	Ken Crider
State Senate District 8	Mallory McMorrow	Brandon Ronald Simpson

Position	Democratic Nominee	Republican Nominee
State House District 1	Tyrone Carter	Paula Campbell
State House District 4	Karen Whitsett	Tonya Wells
State House District 5	Natalie Price	Paul Taros
State House District 7	Helena Scott
State House District 8	Mike McFall	Rob Noble
State House District 9	Abraham Aiyash	Michele Lundgren
State House District 10	Joseph Tate	Mark Corcoran
State House District 13	Lori Stone	Ronald Singer
State House District 14	Donovan McKinney	Wendy Watters
State House District 16	Stephanie Young	Keith Jones

The full 2022 August Primary election results can be found on the Detroit Election website.

Impacts of 2022 Election

Education has taken a spotlight during this election cycle in response to COVID-19 protocols and the return to in-person classroom teaching. With her challenge to Whitmer, Dixon highlights some parental grievances, saying in her victory speech that Whitmer caused damage to students by “locking them out” during the pandemic. A prominent supporter of tax vouchers for private schools, Dixon has been critical of public-school results, winning the support of the former secretary of education Betsy Devos early in the race. While Governor Whitmer’s push to increase education funding came at a critical time, Dixon’s approach to education would support tax vouchers and education savings accounts. Dixon would also seek to take control away from local school boards, expand censorship over curriculums, and ban certain subjects from classrooms.

This staunch contrast between the gubernatorial candidates is also found in House and Senate candidates, with many Democratic candidates praising Governor Whitmer’s successful education budget, while Republican candidates repeatedly denounced the substance of school lessons and the lack of school choice.

Michigan’s recent re-districting process led to previously Detroit-only districts being tied together with suburban-surrounding areas. As a result, many Detroit-based candidates were forced to run against another. For the first time in nearly 70 years, Detroit is at risk of not having Black federal representation in the House of Representatives.

Detroit had a voter turnout of less than 16%. If Detroiters want elected officials to represent their interests and reflect their community, they must show it through community advocacy and at the ballot. Register to vote today!

To conclude, stay tuned for more important details about education funding and legislation, and District updates by texting DPSCDVOTES to 22999.

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UPDATE: August Primary Election is August 2, 2022!

Posted by Lamar Weir on 7/22/2022 3:00:00 PM

Happy Friday DPSCD Community!

Despite the District being in the middle of summer break, we have been heavily engaged with summer programming, advocacy, and community engagement. This week’s legislative update will consist of information regarding the August 2, 2022, Primary Election, community engagement, and advocacy opportunities!

August 2, 2022, Primary Election

On August 2, 2022, Detroit will be voting for Michigan’s next governor, congressional representatives, state representatives, and state senators. If you need to register to vote or need to verify your registration, please visit Michigan’s Election Website now! Although online registration is no longer available for the August 2 election, you can still register to vote at your local clerk’s office in person!

We have created a comprehensive August Primary 2022 Election Guide to help educate the community on who exactly is on the ballot. The election guide contains candidates in the District’s community and their websites. Please utilize this election guide to research and contact candidates before you fill out your ballot. This will help to ensure you are voting for a candidate that represents your interests. Please review the August Primary 2022 Election Guide for information on candidates and this election’s statewide proposal on adjusting state legislators' term limits.

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission passed new maps meaning your District may have changed. You can check for your new congressional, state house, and state senate district using interactive maps. Also, you can view your sample ballot and polling information at the Michigan Voter Information Center!

Community Engagement

The District’s work does not begin and end inside the schools. A key priority of the District is to ensure we are meeting our stakeholders where they are and maintaining a strong presence in the community.

This past Thursday, the Government and Community Affairs team, along with other District teams, hosted resource tables at Thirkell’s Summer on the Block!

On Sunday, Community Engagement Leaders were out at the Eastern Market and Heilmann Park’s Picnic talking to community members about enrollment opportunities and District updates!

Community advocates also wrote letters to their legislators thanking them for passing an education budget that increases per-pupil funding and provides $475 Million for school infrastructure. Take 5 minutes to contact your legislators today!

To conclude, the District continues to monitor legislative updates and looks forward to collaborating with the community. Text DPSCDVOTES to 22999 to stay up-to-date with news and events within the District.

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UPDATE! Governor Whitmer Signs Historic Michigan Budget!!!

Posted by Lamar Weir on 7/15/2022 4:45:00 PM
Dear DPSCD Students, Families, Staff, and Supporters…THE EDUCATION BUDGET HAS BEEN SIGNED by GOV. Whitmer!

On July 14th, Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially signed the Michigan 2023 fiscal year education budget. This bipartisan education budget is truly historic - it includes the highest state per-pupil funding allowance in history at $9,150 for each individual student. Also, for the first time in Michigan history, the state has provided an investment of $475 billion toward school building infrastructure. DPSCD was a leading voice in advocating for this funding at the state level.

The official education budget signed by Gov. Whitmer also includes:

A $246 million increase in special education funding for nearly 200,000 special education students.

$214 per-pupil mental health and school safety funding for every kid, in every public school district.

$223 million for at-risk students and support for economically disadvantaged students.

A 27% funding expansion for career and technical education programs in schools.

$575 million is dedicated to teacher recruitment to address the teacher shortage.

Funding for 1,300 additional free preschool slots in the Great Start Readiness Program.

Funding for Governor Whitmer’s MI Kids Back on Track program, which will offer every child tutoring to help catch up and get back on track for long-term educational success.

Although our education advocacy is far from finished, please join us in celebrating this historic investment in our students. Please take a moment to show lawmakers your appreciation for putting Michigan students first! Take 5 minutes to contact your legislators today!

GCA Team Out in the community!

On July 14, the GCA team hosted a table at the District’s Summer on The Block event at Ben Carson High School. Community members stopped by the table to learn about the recent successful K-12 budget signing, signed up for the GCA newsletter and text service about legislative updates, and learned more about how to get involved with grassroots advocacy efforts on behalf of the District. Stay up-to-date on our community events by visiting our Community Engagement Calendar!

Don’t Forget DPSCD is at Sunday’s EASTERN MARKET!

Detroit has one of the largest urban farmer’s markets in the country! Aside from fresh fruits and vegetables and delicious sweet treats, you can find District representatives hosting a resource table on Sundays from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm! Speak with District representatives about our legislative agenda, student enrollment, school updates, and much more! There will even be free swag giveaways at the table! We hope to see you there!

To conclude, stay tuned for more important details about education funding and legislation, and District updates by texting DPSCDVOTES to 22999.
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UPDATE! Eastern Market Sunday's are Back!!

Posted by Lamar Weir on 7/11/2022 5:00:00 PM

Dear DPSCD Supporters!

Thank you again for all your support in helping the District advocate for an FY2023 Education Budget that invests in Michigan students and schools. Through your letters, tweets, and phone calls, last week the Michigan Legislature passed a historic $19 billion budget that increased per-pupil funding from $8,700 to $9,150. This year’s budget also includes $246 million for special education, $250 million for student mental health support, $575 million for teacher recruitment and retention, and a $475 million investment for school infrastructure!

This is just the first step! The fight for equitable education funding is not over, but this budget is a significant step in that direction.

Please take a moment to show lawmakers your appreciation for putting Michigan students first! Let's encourage them to keep students first. Take 5 minutes to contact your legislators today!

DPSCD Returns to EASTERN MARKET

Detroit has one of the largest urban farmer’s markets in the country! Aside from delicious treats and fresh fruits and vegetables, you can find District representatives hosting a resource table on Sundays from 9 am-4 pm!! Speak to District representatives about our legislative agenda, student enrollment, school updates, and much more! Hope to see you there!

To conclude, stay tuned for more important details about education funding and legislation, and District updates by texting DPSCDVOTES to 22999.

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UPDATE! Michigan Legislators Pass Education Budget!!!

Posted by Lamar Weir on 7/5/2022 4:45:00 PM
Dear DPSCD Students, Families, Staff, and Supporters... The EDUCATION BUDGET IS HERE!

Thanks to all your efforts via our latest advocacy campaign, sending nearly 300 legislative letters to Lansing, the Michigan Legislature produced a School Aid budget that emphasizes the importance of investing in our students and schools. The 2022-2023 budget features over a 5% increase in foundation allowance funding (a total increase of $610 million) which will increase the per-pupil funding from $8,700 to $9,150. The District has been urging legislators to fight for increased per-pupil funding, and this gets us closer to equitable funding for our students. The budget also includes:

$246 million for special education support for nearly 50,000 students.

$223 million for at-risk student support for economically disadvantaged students.

$210 million for school safety support and programs.

$475 million for infrastructure funding. This is the first time the state has provided any funding for school facilities! The District has been a leading advocate for this funding.

$575 million for teacher recruitment to help address the teacher shortages in the state.

$250 million for student mental health support and programs.

$41.7 million for pre-K education programs, including the Great Start Readiness Program

Although our education advocacy and grassroots efforts are not complete, please join the District in celebrating this historic investment in our students. This year’s education budget reflects all the letters sent, phone calls made, tweets drafted, and community engagement efforts by our stakeholders. Thank you, and let’s continue to put students and schools first!

To conclude, stay tuned for more important details about education funding and legislation, and District updates by texting DPSCDVOTES to 22999.