DFT plans day of action at Detroit schools Tuesday

DETROIT – The Detroit Federation of Teachers is calling for a day of action Tuesday, including a prayer vigil and protests by teachers and students.

Detroit teachers have staged sick-outs which have closed dozens of schools in the district.

Detroit Public Schools is in code red condition. Academic achievement is in the cellar and the district’s finances are teetering on bankruptcy.

In the midst of all of this, parents are still trying to get basic items for their children. Veronique Anderson went to a DPS parents town hall meeting Monday night. 

“You know he can’t take his textbook home,” Anderson said.

Her son is not allowed to take his high school math book home so she’s scouring Amazon to come up with one.

Meanwhile, Lansing tries to figure out what to do. The tab to bailout DPS is estimated to be $700 million.

The current bill in the Michigan Senate right now would provide the money, get rid of emergency managers returning control to the local school board and an education professional would be hired to oversee the failing district.

It also calls for a financial review team like Detroit has to oversee financial choices.

All of that is no easy sell in the legislature and will require bipartisan support. So far, it’s not there.

A rally will be held at Cass Park at 5 p.m.


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