Teacher “Rolling Strikes” Continue to Close Detroit Schools

City officials have called for the teachers to return to work as they try to sort out the problem.

January 12, 2016 CS Staff

Teacher “Rolling Strikes” Continue to Close Detroit Schools

The striking teachers are calling for better pay, improved building conditions and smaller class sizes.

Teachers continue to call in sick at Detroit public schools, forcing closures that have kept thousands of the city’s students at home.

Over half of Detroit’s 100 public schools were closed on Monday, Jan. 11, and dozens remained shut down on Tuesday as teachers protest pay, large class sizes and building conditions, according to ABC News.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who runs the city’s school district, has asked the state’s legislature to commit $715 million to the district over the next ten years to erase its $500 million debt and for reorganization purposes.

The legislature, however, has not expressed support for Snyder’s package, which would close many publicly funded charter schools that enroll over half of the district’s students.

Mayor Mike Duggan, who does not control the city’s schools, is planning to inspect the schools with health officials in coming days. Duggan does have authority to ensure the schools meet city codes.

The Detroit Federation of Teachers is not part of the teacher strike, although they have used the strikes as an opportunity to demand better working conditions.

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