Public Media from Michigan State University

Detroit Teacher Protest Closes 18 Schools

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detroitnews.com

Eighteen schools in Detroit were closed Thursday as teachers and other staff skipped classes to protest at the state Capitol.

We have more from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta.

Their target is Governor Rick Snyder’s latest turnaround plan for the Detroit Public Schools.

Speech pathologist Sheila Fields says she’s fed up.

“All these emergency financial managers that come in, they get bonuses, and still the deficits    keep growing,” she says.  It doesn’t make any sense, and the conditions of the schools are depressing and disgusting.”

Governor Snyder’s plan is also getting a cool reception from Republican leaders in the Legislature, who don’t like the idea of tapping the School Aid Fund to help the district pay off old debts.

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Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.