New Detroit school board takes reins of district

Detroit's first empowered school board in seven years was publicly seated today, a historic moment that some hailed as the start of a new era for Michigan's largest school system.

"This is an incredible day in the city of Detroit," interim superintendent Alycia Meriweather said during a break in the event at Cass Technical High School. "We have been pushing toward local control, and everyone in the city should be celebrating."

Cynthia Diane Stephens, a judge in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Court of Claims, swore in the board members collectively before a crowd of about 300 people in the school auditorium, where the mood was celebratory. The audience erupted in applause.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2017/01/11/detroit-school-board/96452920/