You’re invited: Detroit school board virtual candidate forum

Join Chalkbeat and WDET as we hear from the candidates vying to oversee Detroit public schools.

A promotional image for an event displays the title, “Detroit school board virtual candidate forum” in black against a purple background.
Chalkbeat Detroit and WDET are hosting a virtual school board candidate forum Thursday, Oct. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Design by Lauren Bryant)

Two former board presidents, a few former educators, four incumbents, parents, and a recent graduate are among the 18 candidates running for four seats on the Detroit school board in what could be a consequential election for the city school district.

​​The seven-member board oversees and sets policy for the Detroit Public Schools Community District, which educates nearly 49,000 students. With more than half of the four-year seats up for election on Nov. 8, any new board members could affect Superintendent Nikolai Vitti’s plan to address pandemic-related enrollment losses, chronic absenteeism, and poor academic achievement.

Chalkbeat Detroit and WDET are hosting a virtual school board candidate forum Thursday, Oct. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

RSVP to join us as we hear from candidates vying to lead Detroit public schools.

The forum will be held over Zoom and split into two panels with a short intermission. This event is free to attend, but you must RSVP to receive the Zoom information. You can also let us know what questions you have for the candidates when you sign up.

Panel 1

  • Corletta Vaughn (incumbent)
  • Deborah Hunter-Harvill (incumbent)
  • Jamaal Muhammad
  • John Telford
  • Patrice Douglas
  • Richard Clement
  • LaMar Lemmons
  • Ida Simmons Short

Panel 2

  • Angelique Peterson-Mayberry (incumbent)
  • Monique Bryant
  • Regina Ann Campbell
  • Bessie Harris
  • Aliya Moore
  • Ridgeley Hudson
  • Iris Taylor
  • Latrice McClendon

Incumbent Georgia Lemmons and candidate Reba Neely have not yet responded to an invitation to attend.

Caroline Bauman is the community engagement manager at Chalkbeat.

The Latest

The board listened to two and a half hours of public comment before it released a statement urging for the student’s release.

Although DPS did not win the lawsuit, the district declared “a victory” in the case and said it wouldn’t hesitate to sue again “should circumstances change.”

Trump’s bill proposes increasing how many credit hours it takes to be considered for federal aid and would lower how much some students get.

New York City schools receive more than $2 billion a year in federal funds. How would the next mayor respond if President Donald Trump threatens to withhold it?

Newark district and charter schools received more than 10,000 applications for enrollment this fall, with charter schools receiving a record-high number of applicants.

For the first time in five years, most low-income Tennessee students will not receive summer grocery benefits to help bridge the gap before school starts back. Advocates warn Tennessee’s decision to reduce its program will harm students.