Spain Elementary-Middle School

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Charles L. Spain Elementary-Middle School is a public PK-8 school in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. It is a part of Detroit Public Schools.

History

At one time the school had 1,400 students. By 2016 there were about 462 students.[1] By that year budget cuts forced the school to cancel its band and drama classes even though it is designated as a performing arts school.[2]

In 2016 7 Action Detroit aired a news report about the poor conditions at the school. A leak in the gymnasium caused a foul odor in the school, destroyed the gymnasium, and dislodged ceiling tiles. Principal of Spain Ronald Alexander stated that there was black material that smelled like mold even though DPS administrators stated that it was adhesive material. Mayor of Detroit Mike Duggan went on his own tour of the school after saying that the DPS response to the report was inadequate.[3] While the gymnasium was out of commission, steam clouds made the playground unsafe; students instead played in the hallways instead.[1] City of Detroit code inspectors concluded that mold was growing under wood flooring in the gymnasium,[2] signs of rodent infestations, and missing tiles in the ceiling and floors.[4] and they counted a total of 16 code and ordinance violations at Spain.[2] Teachers stated that they had a lack of classroom supplies, including books.[4] The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MiOSHA) started an investigation into the situation.[5]

In February 2016 Ellen DeGeneres announced that she was going to donate over $500,000 to Spain,[2] and she received that money from Lowe's.[4] She started a GoFundMe for Spain stating $5 million as the goal.[2] She also asked Justin Bieber to assist her efforts;[6] Beiber stated that he would donate $1 from each ticket from his April 25 concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills to Spain.[2] DeGeneres stated that she decided to help after hearing about the conditions at Spain.[4]

In March 2016 federal authorities filed criminal charges against principal Ronald Alexander, accusing him of accepting a $23,000 kickback in exchange for using Allstate Sales as Spain's school supply vendor.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Simon, Mallory. "'We are failing them': Detroit teachers demand fix to 'hazardous' school" (Archive). CNN. January 15, 2016. Retrieved on March 5, 2016.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Ellen: Detroit school gift is 'most generous giveaway'" (Archive). Detroit Free Press. February 11, 2016. Retrieved on March 5, 2016.
  3. ↑ Russell, Kim. "Mayor Duggan tours Spain Elementary Middle School in Detroit in response to a 7 Action News report" (Archive). WXYZ-TV. January 12, 2016. Retrieved on March 5, 2016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Dickson, James David. "DeGeneres, Bieber, Lowe’s donate to Detroit school" (Archive). The Detroit News. February 11, 2016. Retrieved on March 5, 2016.
  5. ↑ "MiOSHA opens investigation into conditions at Spain Elementary-Middle School in wake of WXYZ report" (Archive). WXYZ-TV. January 13, 2016. Retrieved on March 5, 2016.
  6. ↑ Merhi, Remi. "Ellen DeGeneres, Justin Bieber raise money for troubled Detroit school" (Archive). CNN. February 12, 2016. Retrieved on March 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ Stafford, Katrease, Ann Zaniewski and Tresa Baldas. "Head of Detroit school that got $500K Ellen gift among those charged" (Archive). Detroit Free Press. March 29, 2016. Retrieved on March 29, 2016.

External links

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