Detroit Schools Recalling 89 Laid-Off Teachers
DETROIT (AP) - Nearly 90 laid-off Detroit Public Schools teachers are being called back to work to ease overcrowding in some of the district's classrooms, district officials announced Saturday.
Principals at 34 schools requested more teachers, the district said in a release.
Some teachers and parents have complained of classes with more students than allowed under the teachers' union contract. Of the district's more than 4,000 classrooms, 22 exceeded student number limits, school officials said.
"Unexpected needs" were "caused by teacher retirements and resignations," according to the district.
Forty-four teachers were added to classrooms by Oct. 19 and 23 others have since reported back to work. Another 22 also were expected to return.
The district, which has seen enrollment drop by about 38,000 students since 2007, exceeded projections this fall.
About 74,000 students were in Detroit classrooms at the end of the past school year. The district budgeted for about 66,000 students this fall but has nearly 300 more than that.
"The good news is that children are still enrolling," district spokesman Steven Wasko said. "We also know that there are many classes that have as few as 15 or 17 students. For the remaining cases exceeding our limits ... we are resolving the issues at this time."
As enrollment has dropped in recent years, the district has closed dozens of schools and consolidated many others to save money.
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