DETROIT (WXYZ) — Parents are reacting to big changes coming to the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
This week the school board approved a plan that includes moving numerous historic schools to new buildings, eliminating grades at some schools, moving programs and more. These changes ultimately will impact thousands of families across the city.
The Communications and Media Arts High School on the city’s west side is going to be impacted because it is popular - too popular for the current building. The District says 544 students are enrolled in the building meant for 476.
“It is too many kids here and it is too small of a building to fit all these high schoolers there,” said Omari Kern, an 11th grader at the school.
Kern is glad that starting next fall his high school will be moved into Ludington Middle School.
The Detroit International Academy for Young Women on Woodward will also relocate to the former G.E.E. White Academy. Pulaski Elementary Middle School on the east side will be relocated to the current location of Adult Education East, which will join Adult Education West.
Plus programs at some schools will be moved and grade levels eliminated. For example Clippert Middle School will no longer offer fifth grade.
For some parents who live near schools impacted - like Pulaski - the loss of a school right in their in their neighborhood stings.
“The only think I don’t like about it is it being a little bit farther out,” said Amie Kolassa, Mom.
“If I can’t make it home from work, they can walk home with their friends,” said Denise Ojemudia of her two children.
“We are committed to providing transportation for students and enhancing education. This in no way, shape, or form will be something that is negative for our families,” said Chrystal Wilson, Detroit Public Schools Community District Spokesperson.
Wilson says the school moves will provide students with better buildings, save the district money in the long run, and allow enrollment to increase with programs that are extremely unique.
The Davis Aerospace Technical Academy will likely move at to the Detroit City Airport for student opportunities.
“They will get to fix airplanes, learn aeronautics, meet with pilots who have done the work,” said Wilson.
Parents say it is hard to see the district dealing with buildings that were left in disrepair under emergency management and forced to disrupt neighborhood schools, but they also say they believe these changes will in the end be good for students.
“If we can do something to give our kids a better opportunity it is a good idea,” said Kolassa.
The changes will ultimately impact students at a dozen schools across the district starting next school year.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Southeastern High School at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRB56D1E89.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Career Technical Education Programming at Golightly Career Technical Center at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRBG6D32B7.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Detroit International Academy for Young Women at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRBV6D3FCC.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Pulaski Elementary-Middle School at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKSJH71AD5B.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Adult Education East and Adult Education West at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRCJ6D51B8.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Communications and Media Arts High School and Ludington Magnet Middle and Honors School at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRCS6D5B1F.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Charles Wright Academy of Arts and Science and Ralph W. Emerson Elementary-Middle School at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRWS6FFC88.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRXE701046.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Henry Ford High School and Cody High School at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRXS7024F0.
You can learn more about how the plan will impact Clippert Multicultural Honors Academy at http://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BLKRYB702CE8.
