LOCAL UPDATE - Classes Resume at DPS

Detroit teachers returned to their classrooms today following an apparent sick-out. Fifty-three Detroit Public Schools were closed Wednesday when more than 800 teachers called in sick.


The cause of the "blackboard flu" was a pay adjustment for principals. The Detroit Federation of teachers considered it a pay raise, which came at a time that teachers were asked to make concessions.

Teachers had money taken out of their paychecks this pay period as a loan for the financially strapped Detroit Public Schools, but teachers were upset to learn that some principals and other administrators are set to receive an 11 percent pay raise.

About 36,000 students were affected by the school closures.