Detroit teachers protest at court hearing on sick-outs

The teachers' so-called sick-outs have repeatedly forced the district to close schools during the past two weeks, keeping thousands of students at home.

The School District of the City of Detroit seeks an injunction against the teachers and groups, and at least $25,000 in damages.

As for the latter, in November 2009, Detroit voters approved $500.5 million in new debt (and related tax hikes on property owners) meant to improve the physical condition of the city's schools.

The judge said Monday there's no proof the union or individual activists are behind the teacher absences, called sick-outs.

Some protested Wednesday during President Barack Obama's visit to Detroit.

"Some rooms are so hot because of faulty furnace systems that students can't think." she said.

Mayor Mike Duggan (D) has validated the teachers' concerns but his power to enforce change is limited; Detroit schools have been under state oversight for the past seven years, run by an emergency manager appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder. Earlier this month, more than 60 schools were closed due to teacher absences. Teacher strikes are illegal in MI, but the images posted to social media show an excellent reason why the teachers protested to begin with... Here is what you need to know about the school conditions that they say make it hard to do their jobs.

DPS claims the teachers' actions "have and will have an adverse impact on...the public at large" and that teachers are "adversely impacting the academic progress of DPS students". Dire conditions under an unelected emergency manager have led schoolteachers to declare an emergency of their own.

Mitchell says the teacher's union did not encourage educators to participate in the sickout, but adds that "the movement has grown".

Here's a glimpse into some of the bleak school conditions Detroit teachers are protesting.

Detroit Public Schools made the announcement Wednesday morning, saying more than 85 of its roughly 100 schools were shut.

Those demands will include smaller class sizes, pay raises, adequate books and supplies, and the restoration of art, music and physical education programs, former teachers' union president Steve Conn said.