Review Of Detroit's Schools Begins; Inspectors Find Mold, Water Damage, Rodents
DETROIT (WWJ) -- Following recent teacher sick-outs, the City of Detroit has promised to inspect every school within the city for safety and code violations.
The results for inspections of 11 buildings were released Monday, with investigators finding everything from missing ceiling tiles to broken glass in rooms and even rodents.
David Bell, interim director of the city's Building, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department, is entrusted with coordinating the inspections.
"It was the city's position -- and previous administrations' -- that DPS was off-limits and that this was not our jurisdiction," Bell said. "Because of the numerous complaints, we are going to hold their feet to the fire, we're going to go out and inspect, we're going to write violations and we are going to make sure that they commit to compliance within the time given to them."
A full list of the inspection results can be found HERE.
"We're going to treat DPS like any other property owner," Bell said. "If they feel like they cannot comply -- if it's a valid reason -- then we will allow an extension, but if not then we will hold them to that date."
Repairs on the 11 inspected schools are due to be completed by the end of February.
"There are approximately 100 DPS school buildings in the city of Detroit," Bell said. "We are going to send inspectors out to each and every one of them, along with the EAA schools and the charter schools. We're going to inspect every school building within the city of Detroit to make sure that the students and the teachers are inside of a safe and healthy environment."
Authorities hope to have all 100 buildings inspected by the end of April.
[MORE: Q&A: A Look At The Detroit Public Schools Teacher Sick-Outs]
About a hundred teachers gathered for a private meeting Monday night with DPS officials at Cass Tech High School regarding recent teacher absences. District Spokesperson Chrystal Wilson says the meeting was scheduled weeks ago and was designed to allow the teachers who are upset about the conditions at their schools to bring their complaints to the leadership.
Emergency Manager Darnell Early was on hand to meet with the teachers. The meeting has been closed to the public and the press.
