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Detroit School Board Moves to Fill Gay-Dagnogo’s Seat Using July Runner-Up

October 2, 2025

The Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education has adopted a streamlined process to fill the upcoming vacancy created by Board Member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo's appointment as Detroit's Ombudsman. Rather than conducting a new public search, the board voted to offer the position to the runner-up from their July 2025 vacancy selection process, who was later identified as Bessie Harris, a retired special education teacher. The decision passed despite objections from some board members who preferred following the district's standard vacancy policy requiring public applications and interviews.

Who is affected

  • Detroit Public Schools Community District students, families, and community
  • The seven-member Board of Education
  • Bessie Harris (the runner-up from July's selection process)
  • Other candidates who might have applied in a new selection process
  • Board Member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo

What action is being taken

  • The board is contacting the second highest-ranking candidate from July's process through the Allen Law Group
  • The selected candidate has 24 hours to accept or decline the position
  • If accepted, the board will hold a special meeting to confirm the appointment
  • The board has suspended its standard vacancy policy to implement this streamlined approach

Why it matters

  • This decision maintains continuity and stability in board governance during a transition
  • The approach saves time and administrative resources compared to conducting a complete new search
  • Some board members expressed concern that suspending the district's stated vacancy policy could erode public trust
  • The appointment will fill a critical position on the seven-member board that oversees Detroit's public school system
  • The appointee will serve through December 2026, at which point they would need to run in the next scheduled board election

What's next

  • Allen Law Group will contact the runner-up candidate (likely Bessie Harris) within 24 hours of the meeting
  • If the candidate accepts, a special board meeting will be held to confirm the appointment
  • If the candidate declines, the board will reconvene to decide next steps
  • A majority of the board must approve the final appointment before the new member is seated

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle