In the news: The cost of low attendance, Rx Kids for Detroit, the Sheffield era begins, new at ‘Little Village’

Detroit district stands to lose $2.2 million in state funding for low daily attendance last year

Detroit’s school superintendent wants legislators to change a state law that mandates penalties for not meeting daily attendance requirements as the district faces millions in fines.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District will lose $2.2 million in state funding for not reaching a 75% attendance threshold multiple days last year, according to the Michigan Department of Education. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti told Chalkbeat the law disproportionately punishes schools in communities with high concentrations of poverty and creates more funding inequities.

He said the fines punish the district for attendance issues rooted in systemic challenges, such as housing instability, lack of transportation, health concerns. Ultimately, it takes away money that could be used to support students in need, he said.

Many school building closures also have been caused by the city’s aging infrastructure, which are beyond the district’s control or ability to fix, the superintendent added.

“It’s a policy that punishes the symptoms while making the underlying condition worse,” said Vitti.

Read the full story here. — By Hannah Dellinger

Rx Kids program expanding to help moms and babies in Detroit

Mayor Mary Sheffield announced plans to launch of the popular Rx Kids program, which aims to ease the burden on families at what can be a financially challenging but also crucial period for a baby’s development. Led by Dr. Mona Hanna, Rx Kids offers $1,500 in cash assistance mid-pregnancy and then $500 a month for at least six months of a baby’s life, and already operates in 20 communities across Michigan.

Rx Kids focuses on areas with high need — measured by child poverty and maternal and infant health — and is open to moms regardless of income. Early research has shown promising outcomes, including a drastic drop in evictions and fewer preterm births and neonatal intensive care unit admissions.

“Today, we take a step forward in our fight against poverty and today we affirm that all children deserve a strong start in life and that the health of a city begins with the health of its children,” said Sheffield at the Franklin Wright Settlements, a human services organization, on Monday, Jan. 5, in her first announcement as mayor.

Read the full story here. — by Nushrat Rahman (This story also appeared in the Detroit Free Press)

What to watch for at Detroit City Council as Sheffield era begins

The relationship between Detroit City Council and the mayor’s office requires collaborating to implement new policies to benefit residents. Detroit’s city council serves as the city’s legislative body approving budgets and ordinances proposed by the mayor’s office.

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is touting the positive relationship he had with council as he travels the state campaigning for governor as an independent. Duggan says prior to 2013, Detroit residents used to tape record council session broadcast on public television to watch it as entertainment because of how much infighting occurred.

Mayor Mary Sheffield has also talked about the disfunction prior to her first term on council in 2013 and amid the city’s municipal bankruptcy.

All signs point to another four years with a productive relationship between council and the mayor’s office. With so many familiar faces, including Sheffield, it would be a notable surprise if the relationship between the body and the office were to deteriorate.

Read the full story here. — By Sam Robinson

‘Spirit of Detroit’ Sculpture Studio: Details on the Latest ‘Little Village’ Addition

“Little Village,” the unique arts and culture center in Detroit’s East Village neighborhood, is set to expand with the addition of the “Spirit of Detroit” Sculpture Studio.

This studio is an extension of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). Fredericks was a renowned Detroit-based sculptor with over 150 public and corporate pieces on display worldwide. Locally, he is best known for “The Spirit of Detroit” statue located outside of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit. His other works include the “Star Dream Fountain” in Royal Oak’s Barbara Hallman Plaza and “Man on the Cross” at Cross in the Woods in Indian River.

The studio will be inside Stanton Yards, a former boat marina across from Belle Isle. The “Spirit of Detroit” Sculpture Studio is part of a larger transformation of the marina that will feature various arts education opportunities for the surrounding community. Stanton Yards is yet another facility of “Little Village.” The arts and culture attraction is home to The Shepherd, a former church that been transformed into an art gallery and workshop.

Fredericks was a champion of public art. He believed accessible art that reflected communities were great sources of pride for its citizens. With that in mind, one of the goals of the new studio is to encourage artists to collaborate with communities on new artworks for public display via an artist-in-residence program.

In a statement, Suzanne “Suki” Fredericks said, “Studies show that art, especially public art, is proven to benefit communities in many ways; we need to support the arts now, more than ever. My father would have loved this initiative.”

Read the full story here. — By Erica Banas