DETROIT – Detroit Public Schools Transition Manager Judge Steven Rhodes on Monday named long-time educator Alycia Meriweather to be the district’s interim superintendent.
“My main objective will be to provide a focus on coordinated academic leadership,” Meriweather said during a press conference announcing her appointment. “This is critical as we move toward becoming a well-aligned, high functioning that exists for the sole purpose of a high-quality, equitable learning experience for all of our students.”
Meriweather will work with Rhodes to move the school district to local control as provided in legislation pending in Lansing.
“It was important to me that we looked within Detroit Public Schools -- as well as the city of Detroit -- to identify a qualified individual to fill the Interim Superintendent’s position,” Rhodes said. “As a veteran educator who has served at many levels of Detroit Public Schools’ academic operations, and has also played a key role in the strategic direction of the district over the last year, Alycia’s skills and experience make her uniquely qualified to serve in this critical leadership position. It is also important that Alycia has strong respect and support among her peers both inside and outside the District. I look forward to working with her.”
Meriweather said teaching was a calling of hers, and that she always knew that she wanted to return to Detroit to teach.
“I am a lifelong Detroiter. I love this city and I love this school district. More than both of those, I love the children of the city of Detroit," she said, briefly getting teary-eyed.
Meriweather, who began her career at DPS in 1995 as a science teacher at Farwell middle school, most recently was executive director of the Office of Curriculum. Before her appointment to that position, she spent four years as the deputy executive director of the district’s Office of Science, as well as two years as the Supervisor of Middle School Science. For the last several years, Meriweather has also led the Academic and Programmatic leadership over DPS’ Detroit Children’s Museum, as well as Camp Burt Shurly, the District’s overnight camp facility in Gregory, Mich.
Additionally, for the last seven years, she has served as the director for the Detroit Mathematics and Science Center, one of 32 centers in the Michigan Mathematics and Science Center Network. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in educational administration from Wayne State University, and is currently working on her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Wayne State.
Potential candidates for the position of interim superintendent were submitted by a broad range of individuals and groups. All candidates were vetted jointly by Rhodes and the governor’s office. Also, the leadership of the Detroit Federation of Teachers played a key role in identifying the most important qualifications for the position.
"These are incredibly challenging times for Detroit Public Schools, its students and its employees. The ability to move our schools forward depends on strong leadership, both managerially and academically," DFT interim president Ivy Bailey said. "This is why the DFT recommended that an academic expert join Judge Steven Rhodes, and Alycia Meriweather is a good choice. We have worked with her in her capacity as executive director of DPS curriculum and look forward to a strong working partnership with her and Rhodes. For the very near future, we have to avert a financial disaster for the school district. Beyond that, we have much to do to raise the quality of our schools and ensure that educators get the support they need to help kids thrive and grow.”
One of Meriweather’s top priorities will be visiting each of the district’s 97 school buildings.