Detroit voters elected a new majority to the Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) board on Tuesday, a shift that could reshape the district’s direction as it confronts stagnant enrollment, high chronic absenteeism and lagging academic achievement, according to BridgeDetroit.
Unofficial results show Georgia Lemmons, LaMar Lemmons, Jameel Smith and Bessie Harris each secured four‑year terms, while Aliya Moore won the partial two‑year seat. The Lemmons couple, both former board members, returned with a pledge to hold Superintendent Nikolai Vitti accountable. Georgia Lemmons, a retired teacher who previously served from 2017‑2022, said she wants to assess progress and “see where we are now and what steps we need to take to move farther.” She noted Vitti’s efforts to fill teacher vacancies and raise pay, but warned that the district has not made enough headway on academic outcomes, chronic absenteeism or enrollment.
LaMar Lemmons, a former state representative and emergency‑management board member, emphasized the district’s lingering challenges, citing “outstanding debt,” state‑caused damages and “constitutional violations.” He reiterated his need for more information on Vitti’s recent performance before deciding whether the superintendent should remain.
Jameel Smith, a clinical psychologist and first‑time candidate, highlighted mental‑health priorities. She said she will learn the board’s operations and explore ways to expand student wellness services, adding she does not yet know how she will vote on Vitti’s future.
Bessie Harris, who defeated nonprofit consultant Terry Whitfield by 56 votes, also expressed skepticism of Vitti’s early‑literacy curriculum and overall strategy. Harris, like the Lemmons, has previously questioned Vitti’s policies.
Aliya Moore, the winner of the two‑year term, has long criticized Vitti’s leadership during board meetings and will join the board with a similar focus on accountability.
Outgoing board president LaTrice McClendon called the election “a new chapter in our district’s governance,” noting that four board members, including herself, will finish their service at year‑end while three will continue. She said the board has set clear priorities, invested strategically in schools and raised expectations for student achievement, and she believes the new members will build on that progress.
Superintendent Vitti, who previously described the election as a potential watershed moment, wrote in a July email that “the District cannot afford to go backwards.” He did not comment on the results when approached for comment.
Board members are slated to be sworn in during January. Their first meetings will likely address the superintendent’s contract renewal, budget allocations and strategies to curb absenteeism and boost enrollment, setting the tone for the district’s next chapter.
Sources: bridgedetroit.com
