A Promise to Deliver World Class Education to Detroit's Children. I ran for mayor in the Special Mayoral election held on February 24, 2009. When the race began, I was the only candidate on the campaign trail touting an interest in gaining control over Detroit's schools. I stated, unequivocally, that Detroit cannot accomplish a turnaround if it cannot deliver world-class education to Detroit students. My opponent Dave Bing has since saw the wisdom of my ways and has laid claim to my message: You can improve Detroit until you improve Detroit's schools. Here's my stance on education: 

An excellent education is one of the most valuable gifts we can give to the children of Detroit. It was my education in Detroit Public Schools (Berry Elementary, Field Elementary, Butzel Junior High, Mumford High School, and Cass Technical High School) that prepared me (Jerroll) for the successes I have enjoyed. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if we (the citizens of Detroit) and the Detroit Public Schools (DPS) work together, totally committed to ensuring Detroit students get an EXCELLENT education, students will in fact succeed! As Mayor of Detroit, I will ensure responsible school management and financial oversight, while maintaining an intense focus on our goals as they relate to each individual student. To ensure DPS delivers every student a quality education, I intend to:    

• Establish a new paradigm for educating students that will include restructuring the school system as outlined:

  • Create a board of directors where each director is appointed based upon his/her expertise and willingness to serve on key board committees. Board members will serve staggered terms and receive no compensation for their service. In addition to constituting the board and helping to select a president, the Board (with the help of the Search Committee) would appoint two members from the community at large to serve on the Board. The Mayor of Detroit would also serve on the board. 

  • Prohibit the mayor from voting on any contracts or expenditure authorizations. Do allow the mayor to halt spending once spending reaches a deficit.

  • Appoint an auditor who would report to the Auditing Committee of the Board and have dotted line reporting to the mayor. The internal auditor would routinely publish reports to characterize the financial state of affairs at DPS.

• Help every student find and develop his/her talent and strengthen his/her sense of self-worth through progressive academic accomplishment. (Every student has a strength/talent.)

• Promote a "children first" philosophy. We must weigh every action and every decision from the viewpoint of how it will affect our children and their ability to secure a quality education.

• Take creative steps to ensure every student has access to the tools he/she needs to learn (books, schools, food, nurturing, etc.). 

• Implement high expectations as they relate to student learning and behavior.

• Ensure DPS's educational programs demand the most of Detroit students, i.e., ensuring programs are rigorous and demanding. 

• Cultivate within the student body, at large, a common commitment to succeeding academically. Help students believe they can perform at the top rung of the academic ladder. 

• Implement a community-wide strategic plan to achieve previously unattained results with regard to educating our children. The plan must include DPS, as well as every faction of the community, including the faith-based community, business leaders, citizens, parents, mentoring organizations, community centers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders. 

• Develop strategies for attending to the "whole" child. Continually refine approaches and strategies and persist in efforts to make Detroit students "tops" academically.

• Involve students in an ongoing orientation program to reshape students' attitudes toward themselves, crime, community, family, and education—all with the goal of helping students formulate dreams and conceive of paths to their dreams.