Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, a cornerstone of the board for eight years, has officially resigned her seat after being appointed Wayne County Commissioner for District 5. The role was previously held by Irma Clark-Coleman, a respected leader whose passing last month left a vacancy on the county level and opened a new chapter for one of Detroit’s most visible education advocates.
Peterson-Mayberry’s transition out of DPSCD signals a moment of change, and the district has now opened the application process to find someone who will carry forward the work she helped build. Her seat on the board will be filled through a public process laid out by board policy, and residents are being encouraged to apply.
Since taking office in 2017, Peterson-Mayberry played a central role in reestablishing local control of Detroit’s public schools after years of state emergency management. The board she joined was not ceremonial—it was charged with rebuilding community trust, stabilizing the district’s finances, and making strategic decisions for more than 50,000 students and their families. That included selecting Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti and setting a long-term vision rooted in equity, access, and academic excellence.
“It has been an honor to work for and with Ms. Peterson-Mayberry over the last eight years,” said Dr. Vitti. “She has played an invaluable role in ensuring DPSCD’s successful return to local control as Board Chair and Vice Chair. She always led with integrity and with a spirit of service to the City and its people, especially employees, students, and families. She always listened to everyone but was willing to make hard decisions to rebuild the District and place it on a path of sustained success. Her legacy creates enormous shoes to fill but provides everyone with the example of what public service should look like.”
That leadership now extends to Wayne County government. Her appointment fills the remaining term of Commissioner Clark-Coleman, who served District 5 since 2011. Peterson-Mayberry’s swearing-in took place on July 2, 2025, marking the official start of her new responsibilities.
As for DPSCD, the board’s vacancy notice went live the same day. The application process is open to Detroit residents who meet eligibility requirements. Candidates must submit a letter of intent, along with a resume and a state-issued identification card showing a Detroit address. The letter should detail why the applicant wants to serve and affirm that they meet all qualifications. Applications can be emailed directly to Vania Moore at vania.moore@detroitk12.org. There is also an online application form available at https://forms.office.com/r/bhXQFJAV4i.
The district has not yet finalized the deadline for submission but expects to announce it soon. A special meeting of the board is scheduled for Monday, July 7 at 5 p.m., in the 12th floor conference room of the Fisher Building at 3011 W. Grand Boulevard. That meeting will begin the formal conversation about the appointment process.
Board President Bishop Corletta Vaughn emphasized the board’s commitment to moving quickly while also being thoughtful in its approach. “The School Board will move forward with a sense of urgency to fill the Board position as called for through our policy while ensuring we select someone who embodies the same service that Ms. Peterson-Mayberry demonstrated over the years,” she said. “We are grateful for Ms. Peterson-Mayberry’s leadership and look forward to engaging with Detroiters who are passionate and committed to DPSCD and will provide a collaborative and problem-solving approach.”
Peterson-Mayberry was part of the district’s leadership during some of its most formative years. She served during the transition from the old Detroit Public Schools system—left behind to manage long-term debt—to the current DPSCD, which oversees daily operations and instruction. She understood that strong governance meant showing up for students, not just with rhetoric but with difficult votes, long meetings, and community accountability.
From the start, she pushed for transparency, high expectations, and equitable outcomes. Her style of leadership never relied on popularity. She focused on building the kind of district where families could trust public schools again.
As Superintendent Vitti noted, her ability to listen across differences without losing clarity of purpose helped guide the district’s direction. That includes efforts to expand Career and Technical Education, strengthen literacy and special education services, and improve school facilities.
The task now is to find a candidate who is rooted in community, familiar with the realities students and educators face, and prepared to work as part of a team. DPSCD’s challenges are layered: chronic absenteeism, teacher recruitment, building repairs, special education equity, and long-standing achievement gaps—all within a city navigating systemic economic disparities.
This board position demands more than a title. It requires a clear understanding of what public education represents in Detroit—especially for Black families. The person chosen will have to carry the weight of decisions that directly impact neighborhood schools, transportation access, teacher contracts, and how pandemic-era funding is used or stretched.
It is not lost on anyone that the work of Irma Clark-Coleman and Angelique Peterson-Mayberry intersected. Both women approached leadership with a belief in the power of community and the value of educational equity. Their efforts were grounded in service, not self-promotion. That continuity of values must shape how the board selects its next member.
DPSCD’s search will rely on public input and thorough vetting. After receiving application materials, the board will review candidates, conduct interviews, and ultimately hold a vote to appoint one individual to complete the remainder of Peterson-Mayberry’s term through 2026.
This process is not happening behind closed doors. It is designed to be visible, timely, and grounded in the district’s commitment to community voice. That transparency matters—especially as families, educators, and students navigate ongoing recovery from pandemic disruptions and policy changes at the state level that could affect school funding.
There is no room for placeholders or passive leadership. This moment calls for a new board member who brings courage, clarity, and commitment to the table. They must be ready to engage deeply, advocate boldly, and show up consistently. Detroit’s children deserve nothing less.
Peterson-Mayberry’s departure may mark the end of an era, but it also opens the door to new energy, new voices, and a renewed commitment to the goals she worked so hard to pursue.
Those who are ready to step forward must do so with purpose. Not for optics or resume building, but out of a real desire to serve the children and families of this city.
The board’s process is live. The seat is open. And the work of rebuilding, protecting, and strengthening Detroit’s public schools continues.
