Detroit Mayor Duggan Proposes $4.5B Michigan Education Overhaul Amid Independent Governor Run Plans

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, signaling a potential final mayoral address, unveiled a $4.5 billion plan to reform Michigan's K-12 education system at the Mackinac Policy Conference, while announcing his independent run for governor in 2026. He criticized the state's entrenched bipartisan gridlock as detrimental to education and emphasized the need for a system that supports teachers with consistent policies, early literacy programs, expanded vocational training, and increased mental health services. Duggan proposed a strict accountability framework for school administrators, including a three-year improvement window before potential dismissal for underperformance, underscoring the necessity of consequences alongside funding. Drawing on his record of revitalizing Detroit through cross-sector collaboration, Duggan advocated for a collaborative yet firm approach to overhaul the state's education system. His plan involves reallocating state funds and securing federal support to achieve these reforms. Duggan's broader political message focuses on transcending partisan divides to foster effective governance and innovation, reflecting his leadership style in Detroit and ambitions for statewide change.