Board renews foundation contract and ties approval of several international student trips; members press for clearer funding rules

The Detroit Public Schools Community District board voted to renew a contract with the district foundation for another year while also tabling four agenda items related to international student trips and funding.

Board members questioned the foundation renewal, asking for specific KPIs and a definition of "financial independence" the foundation must reach to become fully self-sustaining. Dr. Vidi said the renewal request would fund three foundation staff positions at a cost of $564,000 and that she would follow up with details on the foundation's independence target.

The board then tied and tabled four international-trip action items (4.05'4.08) for combined consideration. Members discussed whether schools can use local school discretionary funds to help students attend international travel programs and whether the district should set aside budgeted assistance. Dr. Vidi said some schools do use school-level discretionary funds for trips when principals have available budgets and that the district foundation is planning allocations to support student competition and travel next year.

Board members urged clearer, earlier timelines for trip approvals and recommended that schools and third-party vendors provide fundraising plans in advance so that students are not approved to travel without adequate funding. One board member suggested requiring proposals a year in advance so teachers and principals could plan fundraising and budgeting.

Action: The board approved a one-year renewal of the foundation contract (motion carried) and tied the four international trip items for combined consideration at a later time.