Broad Alumni Spotlight: Jeremy Vidito TBF 2023-24
We asked Jeremy to share his perspectives on leadership and the work he’s most excited about in his current role.
What’s your current organization and role?
I currently serve as the Chief Financial Officer for Detroit Public Schools Community District. In this role, I oversee the district's financial strategy, budgeting and resource allocation, as well as our accounting, accounts payable, internal audit, procurement, payroll, and risk management teams. The district was approaching insolvency after nearly two decades of state management, declining enrollment, and budget deficits. Since 2017, I have worked with the Superintendent and elected school board to lead the district from financial insolvency to eight consecutive years of balanced budgets. We have also enabled significant investments in teacher pay, curriculum, and school infrastructure.
What is something you’re currently working on that excites you in your professional role?
The CFO role is uniquely positioned to support a district’s strategic plan by aligning resources to key initiatives. Given the likely federal funding cuts and policy changes, it is critical to align budgets to strategic priorities, while planning for an uncertain future. We always want to be working in environments of funding increases, but when we are faced with adversity, I am committed to finding ways for the district to maintain our investments in teacher salaries, academic intervention, and art and music programs, to name a few. Instead of knee jerk responses to impending cuts, we will make hard decisions to balance the budget or strategically use our fund balance, but we have to ensure we continue to provide exceptional educational services for our students.
How has your experience as a Broad alum influenced the way you approach your work?
The Fellowship for Public Education Leadership was hands down the best professional development. The program, including my amazing cohort, the instructors, and the staff – Emma, Colleen, Bill, Hanseul (you will be missed) --pushed me to think more boldly. The program helped me reframe complex challenges as opportunities for innovation and equity-driven change. The Fellowship has also deepened my focus on outcomes, not just operations, challenging me to align resources and strategies more closely with instructional goals and student success.
What is one thing your organization has been doing to increase equity for the students and communities you serve?
One of the most impactful equity initiatives we’ve implemented is redesigning our school budgeting framework to involve school communities and families in the decision-making process. We’ve aligned school budgets with improvement plans and provided greater transparency, helping ensure that resources are directed where they’re needed most. Additionally, we’ve reformed procurement practices to increase access for local, small, and minority-owned businesses—ensuring our investments also support the broader community.
What do you think school system leaders should be thinking more about right now?
School system leaders need to think deeply about sustainability—both financial and human capital. The current political environment is scary; I worry about how the federal government will engage with school districts that don’t comply with federal mandates as they stand for their values and beliefs. I worry that even with all the planning we are doing, the climate of uncertainty will diminish our effectiveness and limit the people we can recruit to fill positions, thus reinforcing the current political narrative.
I am trying to model stability and be a calming presence for my colleagues and staff. I would encourage leaders to find ways to over-communicate. There is so much confusion and misinformation, and we must combat the narrative. We have to remind both our staff and our communities about the great things we have done and will continue to do. We have to remind everyone that as of April 2025, there have been very minimal cuts, most of the Executive Orders are on hold, and we will continue to provide our students, families and staff with exceptional services in August.
