At least 5 Detroit schools to close amid teacher sick-out

Mr Obama is attending the North American International Auto Show to highlight the resurgence of the city’s vehicle industry. In a video accompanying their petition, the teachers’ group reveals some of the worst of these circumstances in Charles L. Spain Elementary and Middle Schools. In response, city officials have started inspecting schools for possible code and safety violations. “Now the school system is under its fourth emergency manager, Darnell Earley”.

Jackson has talked to her students about the issues facing the district.

Teachers launched the so-called sickout to call attention to the unsafe school conditions they say are widespread across the district.

Disgruntled Detroit educators have stepped up efforts to protest Gov. Rick Snyder’s plans for the district, its ramshackle finances, their low pay, dilapidated buildings and overcrowded classrooms.

Detroit has about 46,000 students.

They are looking for city and state government officials to step in and take action to improve school conditions. It names a labor union, activists and roughly two dozen teachers.

Last week, teacher absences resulted in three consecutive days of school closures. The absences started a few weeks ago, but the number of schools affected has fluctuated.

“It’s because of the lack of respect that has been displayed toward teachers in this district, the hazardous working conditions, oversize classes, lost preparation periods, decrease in pay, increase in health care cost, uncertainty of their future”, Bailey said. State-appointed emergency managers have overseen both the Flint water system and DPS in recent years.

And Detroit Public Schools expected the staff to take advantage of the spotlight, listing five schools as closed as early as Tuesday and warning that many more could be coming.

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

Mayor Mike Duggan has asked teachers to stop staging sick-outs, but to instead wait for state lawmakers work on solving the city’s financial troubles.

Nearly all of Detroit’s schools have been shut in a mass sickie by teachers protesting at the state of classrooms, as US President Barack Obama visits the MI city.

Teachers have complained about crumbling infrastructure, mold in classrooms, leaky ceilings and too many students per class. The sick-outs also appear to be gaining support from more of the rank and file.

“Each year, each emergency manager, the debt has grown”, said Mitchell, administrator of the Detroit Federation of Teachers.

Almost all Detroit’s public schools were closed Wednesday as many protesting teachers called in sick, turning what was supposed to be a day to celebrate into one shining a harsh spotlight on one of Michigan’s struggling cities.