The new superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District will take charge of the state's largest school district on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
Dr. Nikolai Vitti, a native of Dearborn Heights, has been confirmed for the post by the Financial Review Commission with the approval of a 5-year contract.
"We are thrilled to work with Dr. Vitti on our journey to excellence," said Dr. Iris Taylor, president of DPSCD's Board of Education. "We are confident that his passion for students and families, his qualifications, and his previous experience make him uniquely positioned to be a change agent for this district."
Dr. Vitti previously led Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida, the 20th largest school district in the nation with about 130,000 students and an annual budget of $1.7 billion.
The Detroit district has about 48,000 students and annual budget of $660 million.
Dr. Vitti plans to begin his tenure in Detroit with school visits, listening sessions and meet and greets with teachers, parents, staff and the community.
"I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to return to my roots and work with the newly elected school board to move the district forward and eventually set it above all large urban school districts in the country," said Dr. Vitti. "I have no doubt that we can create high-demand, traditional public schools in every neighborhood as we work together to ensure a child-centric learning environment for all our students."
