On Jan. 20, the State of Michigan released a list of 38 schools that were to be closed at the end of this school year. This list was based on a new law, attached to a “compromise” bill that came in response to the communities wanting to have local control of public and charter schools, as well as accountability for charter schools that open and close at will.
Now, we didn’t get local control of our schools, nor do charter schools have accountability, BUT we did receive a list of 25 of our schools that will close, as well as the acceptance of uncertified teachers and teachers paid based on merit. So, I mean, thanks Senate. (Other than the Senators who fought WITH the community.)
Anyways, after this list came out, there was panic among communities.
Imagine this, you’re a parent of 4 who has finally found a school in a close enough range for your children to walk to. You’re comfortable with the school, you love the environment, and your children are learning. Then, one random day, you receive a letter from the School Reform Office that your school will be closing at the end of this year, but not to worry because they have other options for your children. You rip through the paper looking for these options and see that the closest option is a school 30 minutes and 3 buses away.
This is what has happened to many families in Detroit.
Now, you may be wondering why I’m only referencing Detroit when this list refers to schools all over the state.
Well, I’ll gladly tell you.
The law that inspired this list was, unfortunately, Detroit specific. There are other schools on this list, but the bill states that the rule only applies to community districts, and ironically enough, Detroit is the only city with a community district in the state (Detroit Public Community District). Conveniently, DPSCD just had the name change the same summer that this bill was passed.
So while other schools have the option to replace half their staff, get a new principal etc., Detroit schools have to close. The only way that these Detroit schools won’t close is if someone can prove “unnecessary hardships” on students in their families. Unfortunately, the definition of these hardships has yet to be shown to the community.
So now that we have all of this information, let’s talk about the latest news.
Monday, Feb. 13, the City Council President, Brenda Jones, organized a Town Hall Meeting to hear the concerns of parents, students, and community members affected by the closings of the schools.
According to student Amari Harris, the town hall was “very disappointing.” He says this is because Natasha Baker, the School Reform Officer, never came. Amari also reveals that the 2 men who work in Gov. Snyder’s office didn’t have much insight to give. “Every question we had was answered with I don’t really know the answer, but Natasha does,” states the 17 year-old junior. He believes he left with more questions than answers.
Natasha Baker is the head of decisions being made on the school closings . She will make the final decision on whether or not the schools are closed. For her not to come to the town hall, truly shows how she feels.
Baker feels that there is no other option but the close these schools , while Detroiters know there are many other solutions.
“During the town hall, we asked multiple times for data that proves that closing a school improved education in the neighborhood. We never really got that answered”, states Amari. He believes, along with many other Detroiters, that closing every school in a neighborhood only leads to education desserts.
Earlier this year, Governor Snyder told us that we would receive final word on which schools would definitely close by March, but soon after the Town Hall, he has pushed that date to May.
This has created hope, and fear in parents. Hope because they feel that this will give the governor and Natasha Baker the time to find alternative choices to fix education in our city. Fear because if the schools are to close, May isn’t enough time to find a school that satisfies the needs of their children.
Honestly, this mess of education in Detroit is a reflection on community members, parents and students not making decisions for their own communities.
If we don’t figure this mess out soon, there will be no schools in Detroit to fight for.
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