Contact:  Martin Ackley, Director of Communications (517) 241-4395
Agency: Education

May 1, 2009                            

LANSING - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan expressed both concern and hope this week to comments regarding labor contract discussion to help resolve the financial emergency at Detroit Public Schools.
 
"This is the most important time now to grasp this opportunity to expand learning time," Flanagan said. "We don't need saber rattling by either side. Both sides need to work hard to come to an agreement on how to reimagine their school system to maximize learning opportunities for the students."
 
Reports earlier in the week stated that the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) was threatening to strike at the beginning of next school year if Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb pushed to restructure teacher compensation to include merit pay and changes in seniority rules.
 
"All parties need to be respected in negotiations," Flanagan said, "but teacher strikes are illegal."
 
Flanagan was encouraged to learn that DFT President Keith Johnson is committed to working with Bobb to reach agreement to help resolve the district's $306 million budget deficit; create innovative and bold reforms to its instructional system; and start school on time in the fall.
 
Flanagan noted that with the Michigan Department of Education's launch of Project Reimagine, to spawn innovations to the state's educational systems, "everything should be on the table" in terms of classroom instruction, school makeup and governance, and administrative and teacher compensation.
 
"Detroit Public Schools can lead the nation in innovation and reform as it restructures to meet its financial and academic deficiencies," Flanagan said. "We expect both the administration and unions to embrace this opportunity to help the city's children learn and succeed."