Interviewer:

In a few words, what do you think is the biggest challenge students are facing in DPSCD?

Michelle Broughton:

The biggest challenge?

Interviewer:

Biggest challenge.

Michelle Broughton:

is oversized classrooms and curriculum.

Interviewer:

Yes.

Michelle Broughton:

that's their biggest challenge because if you have 70 kids, 55 kids in one room that basically you only have 30 seats.

Interviewer:

Or 30 desks?

Michelle Broughton:

Then they're sitting on a window sills or one go out and they're not focused because they're not comfortable. So that I mean I went through the schools all last year. I have grandchildren there. I know what I'm talking about. I saw the, you know, they're collaborating, closing schools, pushing schools together. That's not good. They need to feel safe. And they have programs. They have restorative practice blah blah blah. But I'm talking about real real real. Because if you go to East English Village you might talk that, but you don't live that light and you don't walk those streets. So you have to engage the students where they feel safe enough to say, hey, this is what's going on. This is why I'm doing this, or I'm scared. So I'm going to be the bully first before I get bullied. You know, they're not listening to the students. They're not. They're talking to them, but they don't hear. So how can you resolve something if you just throw this at somebody and they don't receive it. And they're telling you they can't receive it. You don't get resolve.

Interviewer:

Yeah. “When I was a student, I wish my school had...”

Michelle Broughton:

Every humanities class possible. Every one. Art, music, theater, driver's ed for free. So you aren't burdening the parents because we all driving is a skill. And if you don't get it the right way, look at what's going on now. Going through red lights.

Interviewer:

Yep.

Michelle Broughton:

Art and home economics, where the students learn how to cook and then they serve their classmates. And that's how you get. “Are you a good cook? Are you bad cook? We don't like her food. We like her. Oh, he's better cook than they are.” They need to bring-- and social studies.

Interviewer:

Yeah.

Michelle Broughton:

because the students and sometimes parents need to be reminded. We come from greatness.

Interviewer:

Yes.

Michelle Broughton:

And if you're African American, it's just that small story. And I call us the stolen people. Because I'm an African. I can learn I am excellent and I do the best that I possibly can. And I show that to children, to neighbors, to students and parents.

Candidates appear in ballot order, alphabetical by last name.

Vote for not more than 4

• Natalie Bien-Aime*

• Steve Bland Jr.

• Michelle Broughton

• Katrina Brown

• Cidney Calloway

• Bobby Christian*

• Nicole Conaway

• Vilma Escamilla Duran

• Daniel Ferguson III*

• Duane Larry Grigsby Jr.

• Bessie L. Harris

• David Harris

• C. Allan Hubbard

• Henrietta Ivey*

• Tabrian C. Joe

• Shinese Johnson

• Theodore Jones

• Georgia Mae Lemmons

• LaMar D. Lemmons

• Clement O. Lett*

• Phil Lloyd II

• Darious Morris*

• Liana Mulholland

• Tyshea Pope

• DaNetta L. Simpson

• Tawanna Simpson

• Jameel Montgomery Smith

• Calesther Smith-Arnold*

• Terry E. Whitfield

• Elizabeth A. Williams

• Theresa Williams*

* Did not participate in the CitizenDetroit candidate video series.

Ijazz Jackson*

Aliya Moore

Shawn Vaughn

* Did not participate in the CitizenDetroit candidate video series.