Hundreds of public school teachers in Detroit called in sick yesterday, effectively canceling classes in 64 city schools.
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The Free Press reported last July that the Detroit Public Schools have been under the control of the State of MI for more than six years, but that has not led the troubled district out of its financial problems, with the district facing a budget deficit then of $355 million for the current school year. Pamela Namyslowski, who teaches 4th-grade at Mann Elementary School in Detroit, posted a lengthy open letter to DPS’s emergency manager Darnell Earley on Friday and by this morning, it had been shared more than 6,000 times.
The teachers union is also complaining about rodent infestations, mold and overcrowded classrooms.
But the city can inspect the school buildings to make sure they comply with city codes.
“I’ve seen a range of conditions”, he said Tuesday morning after visiting Fisher Magnet Lower Academy.
Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, wants to pay off the debt and spin off a new district, but he lacks support so far in the Legislature.
Teachers calling in sick to protest dissatisfaction with school infrastructure closed about two-thirds of the Detroit Public Schools on Monday, school district and union officials said.
“I’m making a plea for the entire Detroit community to come together and to be the voice of children in Detroit”, Earley said as the sick-outs started rolling.
Even Detroit’s teachers union is a mess: The man taking responsibility for the sickouts, Steve Conn, was removed in August as president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers after being found guilty of “misconduct” (illegally canceling meetings, failing to investigate abuse, that sort of thing).
“A great education is the gateway to a bright future for our children and our nation”, Rev. Charles Williams said in a press release issued soon after the news conference. “We’re hoping that teachers wouldn’t keep students out of the classroom more than one day for a protest”, Zdrodowski said. Roughly 46,300 students are enrolled in district schools. I wouldn’t say that roaches and rats scampering through hallways are conducive to teaching and learning. “We understand and share their frustration”.
A group of about 200 teachers, joined by parents and children, protest, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, outside the Detroit public schoolss Fisher Building headquarters in Detroit. “Most observers agree the success of Detroit is contingent upon whether its schools can be fixed”, The Guardian said.
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Tanya Baker, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, says it’s a violation of Michigan law for public employees to go on strike.
