Detroit Schools in Session After Teacher Sick-out Shutdown

Instead of the flu, what Detroit teachers are actually “sick” of is large class sizes, decrepit buildings infested with rats and mold, stagnant pay, and a host of other issues. Snyder explained his proposed plan to split the school district into two parts, with one entity dedicated to educating Detroit’s children and the other existing to address the school system’s debt.

The latest sick-out shuttered more than 85 of the struggling district’s roughly 100 schools and was timed to coincide with a visit to the city by President Barack Obama. The situation is so dire that, in the end, Detroit Public Schools found it easier to make a Facebook post listing the schools that were still open.

The teachers have closed dozens of the city’s schools with the sickouts, called to protest working conditions and inadequate funding.

Obama is due to arrive in Detroit in the afternoon to speak to a United Auto Workers gathering. The absences started a few weeks ago, but the number of schools affected has fluctuated. “Their actions also go against any possible resolution on potential (Detroit Public Schools) reforms, because any long-term agreement on Detroit schools has to put the kids first”. State-appointed emergency managers have overseen both the Flint water system and DPS in recent years.

Also today, Detroit Public Schools sought a temporary injunction against teachers aimed at stopping the sickouts.

Obama will be in town to tout the resurgence of the USA vehicle industry at the Detroit auto show.

Duggan and White House official Cecilia Munoz met with the media at a local eatery after the mayor gave Munoz a tour of some city neighborhoods. The teachers say they are doing this for the students.

Many teachers have conducted protest sick-outs and more are expected Wednesday.

The district needs what amounts to a rescue package from Lansing soon.

Detroit Federation of Teachers Administrator Ann Mitchell said problems include classes with 45 students, rodents, moldy and leaky ceilings, and rooms that are either too hot or cold.

Steve Conn, the former president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, has confirmed that some schools will be closed again tomorrow.

DPS teacher and DFT representative Patti McCoin says the union hasn’t organized or condoned the sickouts. More than 20 additional schools closed Wednesday, bringing the total to more than 80 schools.

On Tuesday night, a group advocating for change at city schools known as Detroit Teachers Strike to Win warned of closures and said protests were planned Wednesday.

The city’s teachers say they’re exhausted of the bad conditions in their schools.

About 865 teachers called in with personal illnesses Wednesday, district spokeswoman Michelle Zdrodowski said.

The sick-outs reportedly began January 11 and are now getting national attention.