Highlights from the February 2, 2021 Board of Education Meeting
The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Board and Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti discussed the COVID-19 reopening plan, the online learning taskforce, addressed learning loss and recognized East English Village (EEV) Preparatory Academy student Nathan Minter and his great grandmother, Remell D. Minter during the February Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2. 2021.
In an email to Dr. Vitti, Nathan Minter paid homage to his great-grandmother for raising him as well as noting the improvements at EEV. The Board hailed Remell Minter and the many grandparents and extended family members in the community, whose care and actions are putting their students first, mirroring one of the District’s core values.
In his monthly report, Dr. Vitti noted the high response rate to the Q3 survey, 85%, and that the data shows a near doubling of the percentage of parents, as compared to last fall, who want some form of face to face learning for their students. He added that the survey results also show an increase in the percentage of teachers who are interested in returning to face to face instruction.
With COVID-19 infection rates in the City of Detroit currently below five percent, which is DPSCD’s threshold for safe in-person learning, the District is planning to re-open its Learning Centers on Wednesday, February 24, Dr. Vitti said. Replicating the same model that was used in the fall, Learning Centers will be a resource for working families. Students will work in a safe and socially distant environment while receiving support from district and school-based administrators, clerical staff, paraeducators and other personnel. In addition, they will have access to meals, PPE and follow pandemic protocols while in school buildings.
Dr. Vitti also updated the Board on the status of the Online Learning Task Force. The groups’ goal is to improve student motivation and engagement while lessening the burdens around online learning. While more work remains to be done with the Task Force, Dr. Vitti discussed changes to the grading system, designed to meet students and families where they are at.
In addition, he touched on strategies to combat learning loss brought on by the pandemic. Plans being formulated by DPSCD include expanding tutoring and intervention support; dramatically expanding summer school opportunities online and in-person; as well as considering more after school tutoring and after school programming.
The Board concluded its agenda by announcing its support for nominees to the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Region 8 and the Detroit Public Library Commission.
The Board backed Sandra Dukhie, Vice-President of the Ferndale Public Schools Board of Education for the MASB Region 8 post. Meanwhile, Dr. Deborah Hunter-Harvill, DPSCD Board of Education Vice President, announced the selection of Jean-Vierre Adams as the DPSCD appointment to the Detroit Public Library Commission. Ms. Adams will serve in the role for six years.