DPS Names Former Teacher, Administrator New Interim Superintendent
DETROIT (WWJ) -- Detroit Public Schools made an announcement Monday naming the district's new interim superintendent.
Transition manager Judge Steven Rhodes announced that Alycia Meriweather will lead day-to-day operations. Meriweather is a Detroit Public School graduate who has been a teacher and most recently was Executive Director of the Office of Curriculum.
Meriweather spoke of her calling to become a teacher and her love of the district, which she knows is in dire straits.
"I believe that Detroit Public Schools has some of the hardest-working, most under-appreciated, self-sacrificing teachers, administrators and staff that you will find anywhere," Meriweather said. "I often wonder how is it then that we cannot move this needle of academic achievement?"
Facing a nearly $500 million deficit, Rhodes is pushing state lawmakers to approve a district bailout, saying "there is no Plan B." The package would provide $700 million to the district.
"I am a lifelong Detroiter," Meriweather said. "I love this city and I love this school district. More than both of those, I love the children of the city of Detroit."
Meriweather vowed to visit every single of the 97 schools in the district by the end of the year. She said her first task is to put together a plan to create higher quality education.
"Just know, I am keenly aware that this is a monumental task and that may be another reason I'm emotional today," Meriweather said. "This is serious and why it's so serious is because it is about kids."
