Mike Duggan's pitch for Michigan schools: Fix reading, fire failing principals

MACKINAC ISLAND — Detroit mayor and 2026 independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan proposed a $4.5 billion investment in Michigan schools and “punishment” for principals who fail to show progress toward education outcomes at the Mackinac Policy Conference. 

Duggan, who traditionally gives a keynote address at the annual conference on Mackinac Island, argued “partisan turmoil” is at the root of Michigan’s problems while outlining his ambitions for higher leadership. The address gave Duggan the opportunity to deliver a campaign stump speech and policy pitch on a stage his gubernatorial opponents did not have the same access to. 

The thrust of Duggan’s proposal focused on improving schools across the state by investing $4.5 billion over five years to train more teachers and literacy instructors, and rebuild “decimated” career technical education programs offered in high schools. The funding would also come with accountability measures that Duggan said are necessary but would likely “piss people off.” 

“There’s got to be consequences,” Duggan said. “If we’re going to pour $4.5 billion into our schools, the people who run the schools need to have some skin in the game.” 

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Duggan said progress would be tracked across three years. Failing schools must submit an improvement plan in the first year. If outcomes don’t improve in the first year, the state would provide a support team. If schools still fail to show progress in the third year, principals will be fired, he said. 

“If you were in business and your business declined three years in a row, you either get rid of the leader or you go out of business,” Duggan said. “Only in public education can the principal fail year after year, and you send the next group of kids.” 

Duggan said he would convene an “educator-led group” to set up the system to evaluate schools and decide whether school leaders should face consequences. He said the state won’t install principals itself, replacement decisions would remain with school boards. 

“I don't think it's unreasonable for the taxpayers in this state to say there's going to be accountability for the extra money we put in,” Duggan said. “Most principals and superintendents in this state, if you gave them those resources, would welcome the challenge.” 

The long-time Democrat discarded the party to run for governor as an independent, openly appealing to Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday. Duggan said the two-party system means political donors gamble on outcomes like playing “roulette” in a casino. The mayor planned to hold a fundraiser for his gubernatorial campaign Wednesday evening. 

“If you are trying to change the system by putting money into out-voting the other guy, year after year in Michigan, you are spinning the wheel,” Duggan said. “That's all you're doing.” 

Duggan argued Michigan residents are “losing confidence in what’s happening in the schools.” He criticized policy whiplash under Republican and Democratic administrations, like an A-F grading system that was created, repealed, created again and then repealed again by Democrats in 2023. 

The 2026 Democratic primary includes Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Republican candidates include former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township.

Throughout his speech, Duggan reflected on his management of institutions needing a “turnaround,” from the Detroit Medical Center to the city of Detroit. Duggan touched on familiar themes he’s returned to in past presentations on Mackinac Island, like ending “us vs. them” politics, boosting population and bringing manufacturing back to the city. 

Duggan said Michigan faces twin threats to its future: Population loss and low fourth-grade reading scores. He also said toxic partisanship is “the worst I have ever seen,” and stands in the way of solutions.

To illustrate his point, Duggan showed a series of campaign ads run by Republicans and Democrats in the last election cycle that declared candidates as Chinese agents, insane and “pedophile protectors.”

Duggan criticized Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel for “bashing” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after she worked with President Donald Trump to bring new fighter jets to Selfridge Air National Guard Base. 

“The problem is with this whole divided Legislature, this stuff keeps changing back and forth,” Duggan said. “There's no central vision that says, ‘here's what we're going to do for the kids.’ It's ‘what can I do to pass a bill that will give me a partisan advantage in the next election?’ This chaos became a national embarrassment.”