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Judge Denies District Request To Halt Detroit Teacher Sickouts

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A judge has denied the Detroit Public Schools request for a temporary restraining order to prevent teachers from staging mass sick-outs that have forced the cancellation of classes for tens of thousands of students.

Michigan Court of Claims Judge Diane Stephens wrote in an order Thursday that the district's case will be heard Monday.

The district named the Detroit Federation of Teachers' union, activists and two dozen educators as defendants.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday as about 865 educators called in with personal illnesses in what the district called "a high volume of orchestrated teacher absences." The absences forced the shutdown of more than 85 schools, and nearly 45,000 students missed classes.

The Jan. 20 sickout followed another one that shut down more than 60 schools were on Jan. 11.

Teachers are protesting low pay, the district's poor finances, overcrowded classrooms and unsafe room conditions.

Steve Conn, former Detroit Federation of Teachers President said in a statement that a meeting was planned for Thursday night to discuss and vote on strike demands, including an end to Emergency Management, no more charters, return EAA schools to DPS, restore democratic rights to the people of Detroit, lower class size, raise teacher pay, provide adequate books and supplies, restore art, music and phys ed in all our schools, and more.

Teachers tried to get the attention of President Barack Obama on Wednesday with a demonstration outside at Cobo Center as he toured the North American International Auto Show.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.

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