• Schools are funded through a combination of local, state and federal funds. 

• School funding is based on student enrollment through the two count days, in October and February, and student demographics, including: Free and Reduced Lunch status, Special Education status, and English Language Learner status.

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• The state is the primary funding source for DPSCD. The District receives a per-student Foundation Allowance that was $10,050 per student this past year. The District also receives additional state grant funds for At Risk Students, Special Education Students, English Language Learners and other restricted grants. 

• The District receives federal revenue through the four major grants - Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV, as well as IDEA and Medicaid funds for Special Education and funding for School Lunch program.

• The District receives funding from the Wayne County Regional Educational Services Agency (RESA) for Pre-K and Special Education as well as a county Enhancement millage that supports teacher salaries. The District also receives private grants.

In 1995 Michigan standardized school funding through Proposition A. It established a state funding formula for schools and required each community to levy an 18 Mill Operating Millage on business property. Schools received their local funding and then the state made up the difference to ensure every school received a minimum funding level.

• When the state created DPS and DPSCD, they required the Detroit Operating Millage (18 Mills) to repay legacy operating debt in the old school district - DPS.  

• In September 2026 the legacy operating debt will be repaid.

• In order for DPSCD to collect the local property tax, voters must approve an Operating Millage for DPSCD.

The money from Prop S helped accelerate the repayment of the legacy Operating Debt in the old school district,DPS. Now that the debt is repaid, DPSCD can start levying the local Millage to support schools.