It is day one and parents in the Detroit Public Schools Community District aren’t wasting any time. As parents brought their kids to the Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy this morning they were greeted by other parents asking them -help us fight for the best education for our children.
“We want what is owed to our children because our children are the ones suffering,” said Melissa Redmon.
“I am not just holding school leaders accountable. I am holding us accountable as parents and a community. What is the message for our kids if we are allowing this to happen?” said Aliya Moore.
They are active parents at Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy. They chose the school because it is for high performing students with a curriculum that values African American culture.
They see two problems as they start the school year. They say they see the impact of the teacher shortage in the district.
“The principal was sent fifteen teachers. He needs 18 to properly function the program,” said Moore.
They say the culture lessons are lacking with no electives such as art or music - and children are noticing.
“They are like we don’t have this still? We were told last year we would have it? One little boy was like, what about the new guy? We have a new guy - talking about Vitti,” said Moore.
Over the summer the district reported more than 400 vacancies. It has improved that number - but still needs more teachers.
“Going into our first day we are at 250 teacher vacancies,” said Superintendent Nikolai Vitti.
7 Action News followed Superintendent Nikolai Vitti as he visited children at another school Ludington Magnet Middle School. He has only been on the job since May. He says as the district learns enrollment numbers teachers will be shifted and hired as needed at different buildings. He has voiced plans to bring back electives - and improve the curriculum all around for the sake of children.
“Public education was created, founded, and funded to create equal opportunity, social justice and change. That is what we are working to do,” said Vitti.
