Student Enrollment Will Be Factor In Number Of Teacher Call-Backs From Layoff Notice
DETROIT (WWJ) - "Demoralizing". That's how Detroit Federation of Teachers President Keith Johnson described Thursday's decision by the district.
While he doesn't know exactly how many teachers will actually end up being laid off, Johnson offered this assessment when speaking with WWJ.
"I would say that if 5,714 got layoff notices, I know that at least 4,000 of them would be back, at the very least 4,000. Beyond that, you know, it's hard to say," says Johnson.
The district says the number of teachers called back will depend on next year's enrollment.
Johnson says he disagrees with the district's "blanket approach" to the layoffs.
"The problem I have is that they know there are certain areas that they have critical shortage for these positions which are hard to find,such as bi-lingual education, special education, speech, foreign language," Johnson says.
"It won't be the first time the district has made foolish decisions but this time I think there is a lot of influence from the state, that played a role in this and that is unfortunate," Johnson says.
Johnson says even he received a layoff notice.
