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4 Detroit school board candidates have felony convictions, analysis finds

October 20, 2026

An investigation by Chalkbeat and BridgeDetroit discovered that four out of 34 candidates competing for five Detroit Public Schools Community District board positions have felony convictions on their records. The convictions range from assault with intent to murder to forgery and assaulting police officers, though Michigan law permits individuals with criminal histories to hold public office unless their convictions involved dishonesty or public trust violations while serving in government within the past two decades. All four candidates—Bobby Christian, Duane Grigsby Jr.

Who is affected

  • Bobby Christian (after-school program coordinator and youth football coach)
  • Duane Grigsby Jr. (business owner and property manager)
  • Darious Morris (District 3 representative of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners)
  • Danetta Simpson (former cosmetologist and salon owner)
  • Detroit Public Schools Community District students and families
  • Detroit voters choosing school board members
  • Parents and community members who rely on board representatives

What action is being taken

  • Chalkbeat and BridgeDetroit are conducting background investigations on all school board candidates using public records and court documents
  • The four candidates are running for seats on the Detroit school board (though Morris is no longer actively campaigning, his name remains on the ballot)
  • The candidates are using their past experiences to inform their current community work with youth

Why it matters

  • School board members hold significant authority over critical educational decisions including curriculum development, district budget allocation, and superintendent hiring and firing. These officials serve as direct representatives for parents and the broader community, making their backgrounds and judgment relevant to voters. The investigation reveals important information about candidates' histories that voters can consider when selecting leaders who will shape the educational experiences and futures of Detroit's children, while also highlighting questions about redemption, rehabilitation, and who should be eligible to serve in public office.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com