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August 24, 2026

August 24, 2026

Detroit Financial Review Commission

School District Regular Meeting

Monday, August 24, 2026
Following the City’s Regular Meeting
(Begins no earlier than 1:05 p.m.)
Using Microsoft Teams

Meeting Minutes

  1. Call to Order
    1. Chairman, Kevin A. Smith called the meeting to order at 1: p.m.
  2. Roll Call
    1. Members Present –7
      1. Dr. J. Barnwell
      2. David Blaskiewicz
      3. Ron Rose
      4. Kevin Smith
      5. Tanya Stoudemire
      6. James Tate
      7. John Walsh
    2. Members Absent -4
      1. Akim Berry
      2. Jen Flood
      3. Latrice McClendon
      4. Dr. Vitti
  3. Approval of Proposed Minutes of July 27, 2026, Meeting
    1. Motion made by Commissioner Rose and supported by Commissioner Blaskiewicz to approve the draft minutes of the commission’s July 27, 2026, School District meeting. The commission approved the minutes as presented.
  4. Executive Director’s Report
    1. Patrick Dostine, Executive Director, informed the meeting that the Detroit Public Schools and the Community District remain in good standing with the financial review commission. After reviewing the financial report for the month ending June 30, 2026, both remain in compliance with all FRC resolutions and statutes relative to their waivers.
    2. He also reported that today is the first day of school for the students of DPSCD, and Dr. Vitti typically spends the day in the district welcoming students back.
    3. He further reported that DPSCD is projecting a fiscal year 25/26, year-end surplus of $57.1M, that is the 10th consecutive fiscal year-end balanced budget, and the audit is underway and will pick up steam after the Labor Day weekend when the district closes its books for FY25.
    4. The School Nutrition Fund will end up running a deficit of approximately $689K. He explained that expenditures were up 4% due to rising cost of food and contractual bonuses paid to the food service staff. The School Nutrition Fund balance has a fund balance of $8.7M, a portion of which will cover the FY25 shortfall.
    5. The meeting was also informed that the school board approved three (3) more two-year labor agreements and there are three more remaining.
    6. Mr. Dostine also reminded commissioners that at the July school board meeting, the board approved a 2-year agreement with the Detroit Federation of Teachers, and the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees. He stated that Proposal S passed by an 80% margin, and DPSCD will now return to the traditional model of school funding. (meaning, that the district will levy 18 non-homestead mills combined with state funding which make up the per student funding). However, the DPSCD cannot levy the Aug 4 voter-approved mills until next summer for the 27/28 school year. When the district makes its planned final payment in September against the operating debt, there will be approximately $146M in the DPS millage trust fund, which is reported in this month’s financial report.
    7. He reported that the superintendent noted at the district’s committee of the whole meeting in July that a $120M is needed for the 26/27 school year. DPSCD has been receiving its full per-pupil Foundation Allowance from the State since 2016 via the Community District Education Trust Fund which used tobacco settlement proceeds to backfill redirected local property tax millages for the Community District (DPSCD). That agreement has since expired.
    8. Mr. Dostine further reported that school board member Dr. Iris Taylor passed away. He told commissioners that colleagues paid tribute to Dr. Taylor at the August 11 board meeting and stated that the board selected Jeremiah Steen to fill Dr. Taylor’s seat at a special board meeting on August 19. There are 5 school board seats including Jeremiah Steen’s on the November ballot.
  5. Old Business
    1. None
  6. New Business
    1. None
  7. DPS/DPSCD Financial Reports for June 30, 2026 – FYI Only
    1. CFO, Jeremy Vidito gave an overview of above-mentioned financial reports and addressed questions from the commissioners.
  8. Public Comment
    1. William Davis
    2. Alleyah Moore
  9. Next Meeting Date
    1. School District Regular Meeting: Monday, September 28, 2026, following the City Meeting, beginning no earlier than 1:05 pm, remotely using Microsoft Teams.
  10. Adjournment
    1. Motion made to adjourn. Motion moved and supported; the Commission approved the motion to adjourn.
    2. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:09 p.m.