(WXYZ) — Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti is calling on the state to close schools until next year.
In the letter to state leaders, Vitti laid out several recommendations which include closing schools for the year, continue full funding from the state and ensure graduating seniors are promoted and receive credits.
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"Declare schools closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. Require all districts to develop an online learning platform within a reasonable amount of time," Vitti wrote.
THIS MORNING: We're reporting on a call from @Detroitk12 Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti to state leaders to close down K-12 classrooms through the rest of this academic year @wxyzdetroit @GovWhitmer #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ENglNJ2n1b
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) March 24, 2020
You can read his entire letter below.
Detroit schools superintendent calls on state to close schools for the year by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
The governor's office had the following response to the letter:
"We have reviewed this letter, appreciated his recommendations, and are exploring options. Our office has been in very regular contact with DPSCD administrators throughout the emergency."
On Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that schools will continue to be closed until at least April 13.
DPSCD has restructured its original student and family distribution plan to address the continued health concerns highlighted by the Governor’s latest “shelter in place” mandate and to better protect the health of employees.
This plan will increase the number of meals offered to families and the number of meals offered throughout the week.
Beginning on Thursday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., a revised list of 17 schools (see below) will offer students/families a bag of four pre-cooked breakfast meals and four pre-cooked lunches.
Food distribution will continue every subsequent Monday and Thursday at the 17 schools. On Monday, three pre-cooked breakfast meals will be provided along with three pre-cooked lunches. On Thursdays, once again, four pre-cooked breakfasts and lunches will be provided. Students/families can pick up the food at any of the 17 sites.
Monday and Thursday door to door delivery will still take place for medically fragile DPSCD students. Academic enrichment packets will also be available at these sites.
1. Denby
2. East English Village
3. Fisher Upper
4. Law
5. Martin Luther King
6. Pershing
7. Southeastern
8. Brenda Scott
9. Cass
10. Central
11. Charles H. Wright
12. Cody
13. Frederick Douglass Academy
14. Mumford
15. Munger
16. Renaissance
17. Western
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