The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Board of Education has appointed veteran educator and former school leader Bessie Harris to fill its vacant seat following the resignation of former board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, who recently became the City of Detroit’s Ombudsman.
The appointment was made during the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, where Harris was sworn in immediately after the vote. Her selection reflects the Board’s decision to move forward with a candidate from the July 2025 selection process, which drew 14 applicants from across Detroit.
“Our Board remains committed to ensuring strong, consistent leadership that reflects the values and voices of our community,” said Board President Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Ph.D. “Ms. Harris brings a depth of experience and passion for public education and community service that will strengthen our ongoing work to deliver high-quality education for every child in Detroit. As we continue advancing the goals of Blueprint 2027, her perspective will help us build on our progress and stay focused on student success.”
The Board’s decision to revisit the summer’s applicant pool was intentional, according to Vice President LaTrice McClendon, who emphasized the importance of continuity in leadership. “Given the strength of that pool and the recency of the process, the Board felt it appropriate to move forward with an appointment at this time,” McClendon said. “This decision reflects our commitment to maintaining continuity in leadership and ensuring that students remain at the heart of every action we take.”
A Detroit native and lifelong advocate for public education, Harris has dedicated decades to the city’s schools as a Special Education Teacher, Resource Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Her career has been defined by a commitment to student success, equity, and community engagement.
“I am deeply honored to serve on the Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education,” Harris said after being sworn in. “As someone who has come up through the ranks—from Special Education Teacher to Resource Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal—I understand firsthand the needs of our students and staff. Every decision I make will be guided by what’s best for them. I’m proud to continue this work, especially now as a grandmother with a student at Cass Tech, and I’m committed to helping all our children thrive.”
Harris will serve on the Board until the next general election, when the seat will be up for a vote in November 2026. Her appointment makes her the seventh member of the current DPSCD Board, which has undergone significant transition this year with the addition of multiple new members.
“It is unprecedented that we needed to seat two new board members in one calendar year, in addition to welcoming two newly elected board members at the beginning of the year,” President Vaughn added. “I believe we have the best seven leaders to move education reform forward through the Blueprint 2027 strategic plan. The Board is committed to making DPSCD the best public-school option for all children in metro Detroit.”
With a career grounded in service, mentorship, and education reform, Harris joins the Board at a pivotal time as the district continues implementing Blueprint 2027, its long-term plan to improve academic achievement, modernize facilities, and expand access to quality education.
Her appointment reinforces the district’s commitment to experienced, community-centered leadership—one rooted in the belief that Detroit’s children deserve both stability and excellence in every classroom.
