Earley said it would help if teachers in Detroit would stop the “sickouts” because he doesn’t support their methods even if it brings awareness to the problems.
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Other teachers say he is not behind the sick-outs and that a group of teachers is responsible. The governor’s proposed plan for the schools would involve a $715 million state investment to offset the district’s $500 million debt and to reorganize the entire system under a new name.
There’s nothing normal in DPS schools these days, said teachers.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has asked the teachers to come back to work, but also has agreed to review the claims and tour the school district’s buildings along with the heads of the Detroit Health Department and the Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department. “But there’s no question about the legitimacy of the issues that they’re raising”, Duggan said Tuesday, when about two dozen schools were closed because of the sick-out. Detroit Public Schools (DPS) serve more than 46,300 students, who often learn in buildings that lack basics like working water fountains and educational materials, according to teachers.
At a rally Monday, teacher Theresa Williams held a sign that said, “I have 39 first-graders in my classroom”.
School officials anticipate reopening the schools on Tuesday. “But there’s no question about the legitimacy of the issues that they’re raising”, the mayor said.
While the fate of teachers unions hangs in the balance in the Supreme Court-which on Monday is hearing arguments in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, about the legality of forced union dues-some frustrated teachers in Detroit are taking matters into their own hands with the city’s largest yet “sickout”.
The city has $515 million in debt and has lost 100,000 students since 1999, the newspaper reported. “We have 45 and 50 students in classes”, she said.
The teachers union is also complaining about rodent infestations, mold and overcrowded classrooms.
Conn is leader of the Detroit teachers’ Strike to Win Committee. Local advocates argue that since state-appointed emergency managers haven’t been able to turn Detroit’s schools around, the state needs to contribute more funds.
With students emptying out of Detroit’s schools, funding is suffering.
He said it was “heartbreaking” to see some kids wearing coats in the morning until classrooms warm up by lunch. However, Snyder’s plan has yet to receive support in the Legislature including from fellow Republicans.
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During a visit to the Detroit auto show Tuesday, Snyder said the sick-out by teachers was “really unfortunate”.
