Victory For Citizens At City Council Meeting Re: Mayoral Control of Detroit Public Schools

VICTORY FOR CONCERNED CITIZENS AGAINST MAYORAL CONTROL OF DPS

Between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. this morning, around 200 concerned citizens showed up for a Detroit City Council meeting about mayoral control of the Detroit Public Schools.

We The People and other groups that oppose mayoral control of the district showed the Council Members what strong democracy is about by turning out in numbers, showing support for Detroit School Board members that were present, and, reminding them of the importance of citizens' votes in the last election concerning the board.

The Council chamber was at full capacity by 9:15 a.m. while parents, students, and community group representatives that were against and for mayoral control, stood in the hall, and waited to be seated. Unfortunately, the speakers in the hall that are usually on for those who are waiting, was shut off.

A monitor was set up at the end of the 13th floor near the auditorium and citizens gathered there to hear testimony from Detroit School Board members and citizens that asked City Council Members to allow citizens to continue to vote for the school board. Within an hour, the monitor went off due to a defect in the transmission. Even though most people could not hear or see the testimonies and responses from Council members, most remained and waited to be called to speak during the "Comments" portion of the meeting.

In spite of the reported 30,000 plus uncertified signatures on petitions that were collected and presented to the Council by a group that is in favor of mayoral control of the schools, the opposition showed that our legally counted votes from a previous election gave us the power to elect a school board. After three hours of testimony, a victory was had.

Seven Council members were against mayoral control. A report from the Detroit Free Press can be found at the link below. Click on the link to see the story.

 http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100713/NEWS01/100713012/1318/Council-shelves-DPS-control-vote&template=fullarticle