Detroit School Board Candidates
DPSCD has two seats on the November ballot.
Two seats on Detroit’s public school board are up for grabs in next week’s election. In the Detroit Public Schools Community District’s first two years, the system has faced the threat of school closures, drinking water contamination, teacher shortages and ongoing financial challenges.
But it has claimed some victories. The hiring of Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, its work to recruit teachers and increase teacher pay and its work to right-size a previously top-heavy bureaucracy have inspired parents and community partners alike.
Nine candidates are vying to continue the battle to reshape city schools. You can listen to their interviews with WDET’s Sascha Raiyn and watch videos from Citizen Detroit below.
Deborah Lemmons and Melinda Murray also appear on the ballot for Detroit Public Schools Community Disrict Board. Neither responded to requests for an interview. Current board member LaMar Lemmons withdrew from the race in July.
Terrell George
- Age: N/A
- Experience: Coaches basketball and football at Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy, Detroit public schools alumnus
- Education: N/A
- Campaign Website: VoteCoachTerrell.com
- Twitter: N/A
- Facebook: Champions To Win
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
Natalya Henderson
- Age: 20
- Experience: Detroit Public Schools alumna
- Education: Currently enrolled at Western Michigan University
- Campaign Website: NatalyaHenderson4DPSCD.com
- Twitter: @sheisNatalya
- Facebook: Natalya A. Henderson
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
Deborah Hunter-Harvill
- Age: N/A
- Experience: Hunter-Harvill is a former teacher, principal and superintendent. She was elected to the Detroit Public Schools Community District board in 2016.
- Education: Educational Doctorate from Wayne State University; Masters in Special Education and Leadership, and Bachelors in Elementary Education from Marygove College
- Campaign Website: N/A
- Twitter: @DrHarvill4DPSCD
- Facebook: Dr. Harvill 4 DPSCD
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
Reverend David Murray
- Age: N/A
- Experience: Served on several Detroit Public Schools Boards since 1998, including the last elected board before DPSCD was created.
- Education: Detroit Public Schools alumnus; Masters degrees in Education, Social Work and Criminal Justice
- Campaign Website: N/A
- Twitter: N/A
- Facebook: Reverend David Murray
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
Britney Sharp
- Age: N/A
- Experience: College instructor and teaching assistant at Wayne State Math Corps, Fund Development Coordinator for Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, exercise coach for FitKids 360, Detroit Public Schools alumna
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Campaign Website: TheSharpVote.com
- Twitter: N/A
- Facebook: Britney Sharp
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
Shannon Smith
- Age: N/A
- Experience: Global philanthropy associate for JPMorgan Chase & Co, former analyst at the Federal Reserve System, 7th District, former legislative assistant and community advocate for Detroit City Council Member Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, Detroit Public Schools alumnus
- Education: Graduate of the University of Michigan
- Campaign Website: VoteShannonSmith.com
- Twitter: N/A
- Facebook: Shannon Smith 4 DPSCD
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
Corletta Vaughn
- Age: N/A
- Experience: Senior Pastor of the Holy Ghost Cathedral Church
- Education: Wayne State University, William Tyndale Bible College and Oral Roberts University
- Campaign Website: N/A
- Twitter: @BishopCVaughn
- Facebook: Bishop Corletta Vaughn
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
