With emergency COVID funds running dry, budget cuts loom for Detroit’s public schools

In the three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Detroit’s public school system has taken in millions in federal money. Now that the COVID emergency in the U.S. is over in the eyes of the Biden administration, so too is the extra funding.

That means school administrators at will be making budget cuts.

Bridge Detroit reporter Micah Walker tells WDET that at least 100 people — mostly support staff — will be laid off.

“College transition advisors, school culture facilitators, which helps [sic] make the school a more welcoming environment for students,” Walker shares. “Also, building subs and paraprofessionals, specifically, kindergarten paraprofessionals [will be laid off].”

Even employees who managed to keep their jobs will be affected.

“Superintendent [Nikolai] Vitti gave the option for the people who will be laid off to move into different positions — some not even related to what they’re doing,” Walker says. “Like a security guard or cafeteria worker. It should be interesting to see who stays with the district next year.”

Walker says part of the drop has to do with the number of students leaving DPSCD.

“The district has lost 3,000 students over the pandemic and they regained 1,000. We’ll see what next year’s numbers will be like.”

Listen to the interview in its entirety using the media player above.