Mass Teacher Layoffs and School Closures Hit Detroit
Detroit teachers union members will soon be replaced with charter school teachers, if emergency manager Robert Bobb has his way. Photo: Jim West.- Login or register to post comments
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Detroit is now a trendsetter in the dismantling of public schools and stripping of teachers’ union rights.
The school district’s emergency manager Robert Bobb announced in late March that 45 academically struggling schools, or roughly one-third of the district, would be bid out to private charter operators. Eight other schools are closing, and dozens more will be closed or privatized in the coming year. The district cites a $327 million deficit and a declining student population.
Bobb dropped another bomb last Friday, issuing 5,466 layoff notices—one for every teacher and staff member in the district. The notices do not constitute final layoff decisions, and many teachers may ultimately keep their jobs. But union contract language providing that teachers be recalled in seniority
