DPS Emergency Manager Criticizes Teachers Over 'Sickouts'
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) — The emergency manager running Detroit's troubled public schools says it's "unacceptable" and "unethical" for teachers to call in sick and force the cancellation of classes.
King and Renaissance high schools were closed Thursday because of a lack of teachers. Cass Tech High School and other schools were closed earlier this week.
About 1,200 students attend Renaissance High School and nearly 1,600 students attend King High School.
"Parents and the community should be outraged at this blatant disregard for the importance of our students' academic achievement, as well as at them being made pawns in this political argument," DPS Spokesperson Michelle Zdrodowski said in a statement.
Many teachers in Detroit are dissatisfied with their pay and the district's poor finances. Gov. Rick Snyder wants to pay off the debt and spin off a new district, but he lacks support so far in the Legislature.
Detroit schools are run by a Snyder appointee, emergency manager Darnell Earley. He says he doesn't disagree with the concerns of teachers but calls the sick days "misguided."
"I've been able to -- I believe -- forge a good relationship with the majority of the membership," Earley said. "My message has been very simple, and that is we are doing all that we can within the constraints that we have. We get it."
DPS has a reported $3.1 billion deficit. In a statement, the DFT says the district is in a real emergency, and they don't believe the emergency manager is taking the right action.
Snyder's plan, outlined in April, calls for an "old" and "new" district — one to pay off $715 million in operating debt and the other to operate schools he says are in academic crisis.
The new Detroit Community School District would handle academic operations, payroll, health care, employee contracts and computers. The current Detroit Public Schools would remain intact for tax-collection purposes and to retire the debt.
The new district's board initially would governed by gubernatorial and mayoral appointees, transitioning to a fully elected board in 2021.
The Detroit Public Schools have been under state oversight since 2009.
TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
