WJR’s Dick Haefner reporting
Many Detroit Public schools as closed today. The closures come hours before Governor Snyder is expected to detail his plan to transform the district. The closures appear to be the result of teachers calling in sick to protest Snyder’s plan.
In a written statement, DPS blamed teachers for calling in sick. Part of the statement said: “This unplanned turn of events is seriously misguided and directly harms our students – taking away a day in the classroom that students can ill-afford given the school days already missed due to our severe weather this past winter. It is truly unfortunate that so many of those who profess to be dedicated educators have decided to participate in this action.”
Snyder is expected to propose splitting the district in two: the old one to pay off the debt using revenue from an existing 18-mill non homestead property tax, and a new one with a new school board appointed by the governor and mayor to focus simply on educating students.
LIST OF SCHOOL CLOSINGS HERE