Now district officials are considering punitive policies against severe absenteeism, such as making students repeat a grade.
Christine Ferretti
Christine Ferretti is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of reporting and editing experience at one of Michigan’s largest daily newspapers.
Prior to joining BridgeDetroit, she spent close to a decade heading up Detroit City Hall coverage for The Detroit News. Ferretti joined the Detroit office amid the city’s financial crisis and was a key contributor to the team reporting on the largest municipal bankruptcy in the history of the nation.
She worked to hold elected officials accountable, amplify the issues that matter to Detroiters and give a voice to residents in the city’s most underserved communities.
Ferretti started her career at The Detroit News in 2003 as an editorial assistant. She later held a dual role as a reporter and an editor before being named an assistant city editor in 2021. In that role, she led the reporting team for Detroit City Hall, Wayne County government as well as Macomb, Oakland and Macomb counties.
She has been recognized by the Society of American Business Writers and Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists for her reporting contributions on Detroit’s bankruptcy. She also was recognized by the Michigan Press Association for “Second Chance Granted,” a 12-story series on former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to grant clemency for nearly a dozen convicted murderers as one of his last acts in office.
Ferretti earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations from Madonna University. She was a National Press Foundation fellow on public and private pensions and took part in a fellowship program through Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Environmental Journalism Training Institute.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
JoAnn Watson, Detroit’s ‘Queen Mother’ and defining political leader, has died
Watson’s decades-long career in public service spanned from Detroit City Council to the United Nations.
Posted inEducation
Detroit district to add more school-based health centers
In addition to physical and behavioral health services, health hubs also will provide dental services, vision and hearing screenings, and other health-related services.
Posted inEducation
Detroit school officials slow to act on Moses Field abuse, parents allege
The district says it learned of the incidents in January. Parents say they weren’t notified promptly and plan to sue.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Ford Fireworks parking, closures and curfew. What to know
The Ford Fireworks get underway Monday just after 10 p.m. Here’s where to watch, park and how to navigate downtown. Also, what to avoid.
Posted inEducation
Fewer summer school options for Detroit families as district scales back
The summer programs helped keep some students engaged, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says, but they were not nearly as successful as officials hoped.
Posted inEducation
Michigan bill would ease merit-based pay clause for Detroit district teachers
Teachers union leaders say that the provision, which applies to recent hires in the Detroit Public Schools Community District, is a ‘deterrent’ for current and prospective employees.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Wayne County ends public health emergency in juvenile facility
Under the emergency, the country directed $10 million toward addressing needs in the facility and created an “incident command” led by Heath, Human, and Veterans Services Director Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Wayne County health leader works to reform juvenile justice
Abdul El-Sayed gives an update on the county’s progress with its troubled Juvenile Detention Facility and lays out priorities in his first 90 days.
Posted inEducation
Relationships with students ‘the best metal detector’ in Detroit schools
Detroit Public Schools District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti talked with BridgeDetroit about weapons in schools, the district’s fiscal budget, curtailed summer school plans and millions in district funding headed for approval by state lawmakers.