Detroit Schools Rolling In Dough

The Detroit Public Schools Community District has 88% more to spend this year compared to four years ago. Even before the windfall, however, Detroit school spending was among the highest in the state.

The Detroit public school district had $1.28 billion in its general fund for the current fiscal year, which began July 1. That’s $598 million more than the $682.2 million the district received during its 2017-18 fiscal year.

The increase comes despite stagnant enrollment and a poor academic record. Four years ago, the district reported enrollment of 50,875. By the 2020-21 school year, this was down to 49,001. Current enrollment figures have not yet been released.