"Unfortunately, obtaining that support becomes more challenging with each closure of a school due to a teacher sick-out", said Earley.

A planned "sick-out", in which hundreds of teachers called in sick, closed 60 Detroit schools Monday.

David Hecker, president of the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, toured the four buildings with Duggan and called the conditions inside unacceptable.

The teachers union has not endorsed sickouts, but held a press conference today to demand what they call long-overdue change in the district's buildings, where basic functions like heating and cooling are often broken, and classes can reach 45 students, surpassing the legal limit.

MONDAY: Several dozen public schools in Detroit were closed Monday as many teachers staged a "sickout" to protest poor facility conditions on numerous campuses.

Unlike some big-city mayors, Duggan has no control over schools.

Lawmakers "must act with urgency to address the problem", Duggan said.

The Detroit News reports that district officials said Tuesday that 24 schools were closed, more than 20 percent of the district.

"Based on what we find, the city of Detroit will take whatever enforcement action is necessary to make sure all Detroit public schools are compliant with all health and building codes", he said in a statement. "But there's no question about the legitimacy of the issues that they're raising", the mayor said.

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit's mayor will tour some of the city's public schools amid so-called sick-outs by teachers that at times have forced some schools to shut down.

"As frustrations by educators, parents and the community continue to mount over deep concerns about Detroit Public Schools' deplorable health, safety and learning conditions, we need real answers from Emergency Manager Darnell Earley and Gov. Rick Snyder".

After losing more than 100,000 students over the past 10 years, ballooning debt now costs the district about $1,100 per student.

"We know that with the current debt figures if the issue is not addressed soon, Detroit public schools students will be losing [nearly half of the state's per-pupil funding total]", Pedroni said, adding: "It's unconscionable that students lose that to debt service".

The teachers union is also complaining about rodent infestations, mold and overcrowded classrooms.

He said it was "heartbreaking" to see some kids wearing coats in the morning until classrooms warm up by lunch. But his plan has yet to receive support in the Legislature, which is controlled by fellow Republicans.

He said he understands the teachers' frustrations but urged them to return to work.

The rally was formed by the Detroit Strikes To Win and is led by former teacher union president Steve Conn. He's unhappy with what the group declares "the ruination of the school system by the state", according to the report.