Political action is imperative for two reasons: To elect friends of public education (PK-12 and higher education) and to pass or defeat ballot proposals that affect education and our students, staff and members.

DPSCD School Board

The DFT Candidate Screening Team has concluded its screening of all DPSCD School Board candidates who have requested endorsement by our union. After deliberation the team has selected three individuals who have stated they will stand with our union as a member of the school board. The three are Sherisse M. Butler, Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, and Boyd White III. There are 22 candidates who are seeking a seat on the school board.

DPSCD Millage

The district is also seeking a millage renewal on this fall's ballot. We are endorsing a YES vote from our community. For more information on this millage, please refer to DPSCD Proposal S Information. This is part of the ballot language Detroiters will find on the ballot: This proposal would restore and increase the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be levied by the School District of the City of Detroit for general operating purposes by 6.00 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempt by law, which would allow the School District to continue to retire its debt obligations.

Here is some literature that has factual information about Proposal S.

• Fact Sheet Proposal S
• Talking Points About Proposal S

 Wayne RESA

The Wayne RESA Regional Enhancement Millage is also up for renewal in November. We are endorsing a YES vote from our community. For more information on this millage, please refer to Wayne RESA Regional Enhancement Millage Information.

Use this link to find election information specific to Michigan: Vote 411 Michigan

Know Your Voting Rights! Go to https://www.michiganvoting.org/

Here is the calendar for the 2025-2027 biennial election of officers, executive board members and trustees: Click here to read the document.

1. Please complete the nomination form in its ENTIRETY in print.  Here is the Nomination Form. The nomination form is not to be altered in any way.
2. Once eligibility is determined by the DFT Office, each person who has submitted a nomination form will be notified as outlined in the Bylaws.
3. If you have a grievance regarding the election process as outlined in the Bylaws and would like to present to the Election Committee, you must send an email to dft231ec@gmail.com by 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2024. You will receive an emailed confirmation with instructions. Grievance procedures are in Article V, Election Procedures, Section 12.
4. The list of eligible candidates will be posted on October 31, 2024.

Please see Article V Elective Officers, Sections 1, 2 and 12 of the Bylaws in Key DFT Documents on DFT Website.

More information may be forthcoming from the DFT Election Committee.

Belonging is a critical factor in student success, particularly for Black, Latinx, Native American, neurodiverse and multilingual learners who are frequently underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and careers.

We invite AFT members to join us for “Shaping Academic Minds: An AFT Belonging in STEM Initiative.” 

In partnership with Beyond100K, this initiative is built on the belief that educators are key agents of change, capable of designing STEM classrooms that are not only academically challenging but also inclusive, joyful, engaging, and affirming for students’ identities and experiences. This initiative seeks to assess what our members need and how they are creating STEM classrooms and work environments of belonging, where every student and educator, regardless of their background, feel valued, seen, heard and supported. Your voice is essential to helping us achieve this goal!

Who should participate?
STEM educators (including, but not limited to science, technology, computer science, engineering, math, integrated STEM, data science, and career and technical education) who identify as and/or serve Black, Latinx, Native American, neurodiverse, and multilingual learners and communities.

How long will this initiative last?
Action starts as soon as registration closes on Oct. 2 with the prerequisite assignments outlined below, and concludes on Nov. 15. This is just the first phase of this work. We hope to use the information gathered from you and your students to prioritize the development of professional learning resources that focus on equity in STEM education.

What are the requirements?
Participants must complete all of the general assignments and those specific to their selected track to obtain a certificate of hours. Incentives and raffles will be offered every step of the way! (See track descriptions for projected number of hours.)

General Assignments

1. Complete a Belonging in STEM Demographic Survey by Oct. 11.
2. Attend a virtual launch meeting on Oct. 16 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. EDT.
   (Note: Flexible meeting arrangements can be made available upon request to accommodate time zones for our Pacific regions and those who lead extracurricular activities after hours.)
3. Take “Being a Culturally Responsive Educator,” a 60-minute asynchronous online course provided by Beyond100K, and complete the accompanying Culturally Responsive Education Self-Assessment (30 minutes) by Nov. 15.

Space is limited. Register now for the initiative and launch meeting.
The deadline to register is Oct. 2.

Be on the lookout on the Take Action tab under the Actions and Events Menu bar in the red navigation bar up on top each week for volunteer opportunities for activists like you!

We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us the next two months, but like Michelle Obama told us: “If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we’ve got to pick ourselves up, throw water on our face, and what?—DO SOMETHING.”

We are riding high off the energy of the Convention. Let’s keep up the momentum—can you sign up today for a volunteer shift?

Do you want to level

DETROIT—Today, leaders of the 1.8 million-member AFT embarked on a cross-country, multicity election bus tour to get out the vote and highlight the pivotal issues facing America this November.

Union members are “all in” this election season supporting candidates who support the values and actions needed to realize the promise of America; economic and educational opportunity for all; lower costs; upholding broad-based freedoms, including a women’s right to make their own healthcare decisions; and the strengthening, not diminishing, of our voice at work and in our democracy.

The AFT, which has 600