Detroit teachers demand better funding as principals keep leaving

30 principals leave district in past 2 years

DETROIT – Teachers in Detroit are frustrated.

There was a sea of red Tuesday night as members with the Detroit Federation of Teachers came out in full force to a school board meeting.

While one complaint they have is regarding pay, that's not the only issue. They're demanding to know why so many principals are leaving and if students remain at the top of district leaders list of priorities.

Detroit Public School Community District board members got an earful Tuesday night as teachers demanded better funding overall to be divided for students who walk the halls of Detroit public schools.

"It's time for our elected leaders to do right by teachers and students of Detroit," a teacher said.

Even parents are fuming over the changing curriculum and what many said they view as Detroit public schools' inability to make real impact on the students they serve.

Dr. Nikolai Vitti was appointed as superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District in May of 2017 on a five-year contract.

"I don't have all the answers but I was hired as a change agent and to make this district better," Vitti said.

In only two years there have been 30 principals who have resigned or retired. Another 18 will be leaving the district by the fall.

Vitti insists principals were not meeting the performance mandate and is working to dispel rumors he handpicked their replacements from his former district.

Watch the video above for Jermont Terry's full story from Local 4 News at 11.


About the Authors:

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.