Meet the candidates running for the Detroit school board

September 8, 2026

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is experiencing its most competitive board election since 2016, with 34 candidates competing for five available positions. The race is particularly significant because only two current board members are seeking reelection, while the board's president and vice president are stepping down, and another seat opened due to a member's death. Candidates who responded to a Chalkbeat questionnaire presented various approaches to addressing the district's key challenges, including poor student attendance rates, declining enrollment numbers, and upcoming budget constraints affecting academic support staff.

Who is affected

Detroit Public Schools Community District students and families
Current board incumbents Steve Bland and Bessie Harris (running for reelection)
Outgoing Board President LaTrice McClendon and Board Vice President Corletta Vaughn (not seeking reelection)
34 candidates vying for the five board seats
Academic interventionists facing potential job loss due to funding cuts
Chalkbeat Detroit and bureau chief Lori Higgins (reporting on the election)

What action is being taken

Thirty-four candidates are running for five open board seats
Two incumbents (Steve Bland and Bessie Harris) are seeking reelection
Chalkbeat sent questionnaires to candidates via email and text in July, with 19 of 34 candidates responding

Why it matters

This election is consequential because it will likely result in substantial turnover on the board overseeing Michigan's largest school district. With only two incumbents running and key leadership positions (president and vice president) vacating, new members will face immediate challenges including high chronic absenteeism rates, declining enrollment, and the loss of funding for academic interventionists. The decisions made by this newly constituted board will directly impact educational outcomes for students across Detroit's public school system.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com