Detroit Schools officials warn of possible teacher absences

DPS officials say the following schools are closed due to a high volume of teacher absences: Academy of the Americas, Bates, Bow, Burton, Carleton, Carstens, Carver, Coleman Young, Dixon, Drew, Gompers, Henderson, Marcus Garvey, Mackenzie, Mark Twain, Palmer Park, Pasteur, Paul Robeson, Sampson, Spain, Thirkell, Thurgood Marshall, Turning Point and Vernor.

The district sent a recorded message late Sunday afternoon to parents and guardians of students warning that several campuses might have to close on Monday because of the teachers’ actions. In an open letter to the Detroit public schools emergency manager, Darnell Earley, who blasted teachers for the sickout protestslast week, fourth-grade teacher Pam Namyslowski said pupils had been “set up to fail in every way”. The result? The closure of roughly two-thirds of the 100-odd public schools in the embattled district, which serves about 46,000 students.

“We haven’t sanctioned the sick-outs, but I want everyone to understand the frustration”, said Ivy Bailey, Interim President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, according to ABC’s Detroit affiliate WXYZ-TV. Gov. Snyder’s bailout plan is stalled in the Legislature.

Other teachers say he is not behind the sick-outs and that a group of teachers is responsible. There are also complaints from teachers of mold problems and the Federation of Teachers are making it known. He says the condition of Detroit’s schools is a “mixed bag” with some buildings in good shape.

Update: Duggan told the Associated Press after touring schools Tuesday that he saw a dead mouse, cold children wearing coats in classrooms and a warped gym floor.

“A sufficient response to the Detroit Public Schools’ deplorable health, safety and learning conditions that are outraging educators and parents would be to address these issues and take action to mitigate the problems”, Bailey said in a statement. 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.

More than 31,000 students stayed home Monday.

There’s nothing normal in DPS schools these days, said teachers.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who’s asked teachers to return to work, is also touring troubled schools, vowing to make sure they get compliant to get kids back to class.

“I care deeply about the safety and well-being of teachers in Detroit, just as I do the students”, Whiston said. The plan includes a reorganization that could lead to closing independent, publicly funded charter schools, where more than half of Detroit students are enrolled. “We understand and share their frustration”.