GROSSE POINTE, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Grosse Pointe Board of Education is making moves to consolidate schools– a move that was fought by some, citing racial bias.
The changes are expected to take root next school year, which has some parents up in arms.
The board made moves Monday night despite the state’s Civil Rights Director urging them to at a minimum adopt a “racially conscious approach.”
"Stop and think of your children being bused — how would you react or feel… how would your children feel getting off that bus and feeling singled out, is that what you want for your child in their formative years of development?" said Agustin Arbulu, Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
Board moving to close only predominantly black school
So what’s the problem? The board chose to close two schools, one of them – Poupard – is the only predominantly black school in the district.
The board voted 5-to-2 to close both Poupard and Trombly elementary schools and voted 6-to-1 to reconfigure grades.
This will take 5th graders out of elementary schools and moving them into the middle school.
In conclusion, this is an issue of sagging student enrollment – An issue that’s expected to continue growing in the years ahead.
There have even been threats to recall some of the school board members as a result of these plans.
For more details on the fall 2020-21 reconfiguration, click here.
