This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy.
Detroit’s next mayor will likely be someone who wants to create more cohesion between district and charter schools, help the city to play a role in reducing chronic absenteeism, and ensure students have more access to after-school, career and technical education.
Nine people are running to replace Mayor Mike Duggan, who has served as mayor since January 2014. Five of the candidates — Jonathan Barlow, Fred Durhal, Saunteel Jenkins, Todd Perkins, and Mary Sheffield — responded to a Chalkbeat Detroit survey about whether and how they plan to play a greater role in education issues.
They will face off Tuesday in a primary election that will decide the top two vote-getters who will compete in the November election.
There’s been a growing push for Detroit’s mayor to take a more active role in addressing some of the conditions that lead to school success or struggles. Low academic performance is prevalent in most schools and the city has alarmingly high rates of students who are missing too many days of school. City youth say they’re constantly worried about their safety.
Below is the candidate guide with background information on those who responded to the survey and answers to the questions. You can read more about the importance of this election here.
Questions
- Detroit’s mayor has no control over education in the city. What do you see your role as mayor being in addressing issues parents and community members are raising on the campaign trail about the quality of education in district and charter schools?
- What do you consider to be some of the top education and/or youth issues you as mayor would like to address, and why?
- How would you ensure that, as mayor, you are able to have a role in education while ensuring the district and charter schools maintain their autonomy?
- More than half of the students who attend school in Detroit are chronically absent, meaning they’ve missed more than 10 days or more in a typical school year. Wayne State researchers earlier this year released a book that makes the case that schools alone can’t address this problem. What do you think the city’s role can be in working with the district, charters, and community organizations to improve school attendance?
- Why do you think so many Detroit children aren’t making it to school on a consistent basis?
- How would you address the root causes of chronic absenteeism, including housing instability, access to transit, safety, and mental health care?
- Do you think the current mayor and city administration has done enough, or anything, to address this citywide problem?
- How is the city affected when so many students are missing a significant amount of school time?
- Detroit’s education system is fragmented, with dozens of school boards overseeing district and charter schools. How can the city better coordinate with all of these entities to better serve youth?
- What are your plans to elevate the voices of Detroit youth in your administration?
- Many Detroit youth say they worry daily about safety, that they always feel on edge about the potential for violence. Fears of violence can impact how children perform in the classroom. What are your plans to improve safety in the city?
- Speaking of safety of youth, dangerous routes to school remain an issue in Detroit, even with efforts to tear down abandoned homes. How would you work to address this issue so students feel safe walking to school.
- High school students in the Detroit district must take public transportation to get to school. We’ve heard from many that buses often arrive late, if at all, and that sometimes buses pass them by without stopping. We’ve also heard some students say they don’t feel safe at bus stops. What are your plans to address these concerns?
Editor’s note: This story was updated after a fifth candidate, Jonathan Barlow, filled out Chalkbeat’s candidate survey after publication.
Lori Higgins is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at lhiggins@chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.