More Detroit school sick-outs Friday by teachers
More teacher sick-outs Friday at Detroit Public Schools as the district's union fights back against labor problems.
Some parents support the cause but not the way it's being carried out. Although one DPS teacher says she and her colleagues will not give up.
"I'm standing in solidarity, " said Nicole Conoway, a teacher at East English Village Preparatory Academy. "To represent the students, the teachers, parents and community in Detroit (in) the fight of our lives."
She and hundreds of other DPS teachers refused to show up to work Friday forcing the school district to release a statement saying that.:
"Detroit Public Schools has no other choice but to close two schools this morning. East English Village Preparatory Academy and Mann Learning Community, because teachers from those schools have chosen not to come to work."
"This is not just a narrow trade union fight about our benefits and pay," Conoway said. "It's about the future of public education in Detroit and the right of Detroiters to democratically control their city and their schools like every other community."
One parent whose children attend a DPS school spoke to FOX 2 saying that she supports the teachers and wants them to continue their fight.
"I feel that they are teaching the future," said Aliya Moore. "Why shouldn't they get all of their health care and all of their pay."
Activist Steve Conn is organizing the sickouts.
He says it's one way of letting state and school officials know they are unhappy with their leadership and they will not back down until their demands are met
"I don't know the meaning of back down," said Conn. "The teachers are rising up now. They are on the rise and on the march."
But Gov. Rick Snyder's office says his plan will work. They say his plan will improve academics, and also eliminate debt that right now costs the district a figure equal to $1,100 per child to service.
That's money that could be better spent to lower class sizes, raise pay and improve benefits.
Organizers say they're not buying it and are gearing up to make sure state and school officials know that their fight will continue.
A meeting for DPS teachers is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at Gracious Savior Lutheran Church on James Couzens in Detroit.