Detroit Parents Sue State of Michigan Over School Funding, Alleging Constitutional Violation
Detroit parents filed a class action lawsuit against the State of Michigan on April 8, 2026, alleging the state violated its constitutional duty by chronically underfunding Detroit public schools. The complaint claims the state created an unjust education system with significantly lower literacy rates in Detroit compared to the state average, with only 16 percent of Detroit students proficient in reading upon entering high school.
Class Action Claims State Has Failed Constitutional Duty to Detroit Students
DETROIT — Parents of children in the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) filed a class action lawsuit against the State of Michigan on April 8, 2026, alleging the state has violated its constitutional duty to provide adequate and equitable funding for Detroit's public schools.
The lawsuit, filed by law firm Mantese Honigman PC on behalf of Detroit parents, claims the state has created a system of public education with "haves" and "have-nots" that has resulted in significantly lower literacy rates for Detroit students compared to their peers statewide.
Education lays the foundation for a student's success throughout their life. Yet, the State has failed in its constitutional obligations to the children attending public schools in Detroit. These students are entitled to adequate and equitable funding to provide competitive salaries and benefits necessary to recruit and retain qualified teachers and staff, and to upgrade aging school buildings.
— Gerard V. Mantese, attorney for the plaintiffs
Mantese, a corporate litigator and civil rights attorney who is the CEO at Mantese Honigman PC, emphasized that the lawsuit seeks to address what plaintiffs describe as pervasive inequities in the state's approach to education funding in Detroit.
A District Already Struggling
The lawsuit arrives as Detroit Public Schools already face well-documented challenges. According to the complaint, only 16 percent of Detroit public school students are proficient in reading upon entering high school, and just 22 percent achieve reading proficiency during high school.
Dr. Bruce Baker, a national expert on school funding, reports that the City of Detroit is among the most financially underfunded districts in the entire country, with student outcomes commensurate with these funding deficits.
The lawsuit also highlights that despite these challenges, DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai Vitti has achieved significant improvement in literacy rates since emergency management at a pace faster than the state's average through the dedication of teachers and school staff.
It is clear that the State has created and maintained an unjust system of public education with "haves" and "have-nots,"
— Weekly Voice report
The lawsuit also notes that because of funding issues, the DPSCD is the only district in Michigan that allows for both unlicensed and licensed teachers.
State's Response
DPSCD Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti supports the litigation and is prepared to provide testimony regarding the impact that persistent inequitable funding has on veteran teacher salaries, class sizes, special needs children, and aging facilities.
The lawsuit cites national expert reports from Dr. Ketrina Childs and Dr. Stacey Deering that support the complaint.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has stressed education as a top priority of her administration, recently declaring, "Literacy is an ordinary superpower that every child deserves." Mantese stated that this litigation carries out Governor Whitmer's vision of providing a fair and equitable education to all students in Michigan.
What Comes Next
The lawsuit will now proceed through the court system, with plaintiffs seeking a ruling that the state's school funding system is unconstitutional and requires reform.
The case represents a major escalation in the long-running battle over equitable school funding in Michigan, with Detroit parents arguing the state has failed in its constitutional duty to provide a quality public education for all students regardless of their zip code.
Sources:
- Today in Detroit, "Parents Sue Michigan Over Detroit School Funding," April 8, 2026
- Weekly Voice, "Parents file class action against the State of Michigan for inadequate funding of Detroit Public Schools," April 8, 2026
- PR Newswire, "Parents file class action against the State of Michigan for inadequate funding of Detroit Public Schools, release issued by Mantese Honigman PC," April 8, 2026
Sources
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