Detroit Schools, Teachers Agree On Back To School Plan

DETROIT, MI — Detroit Public Community Schools and the Detroit Federation of Teachers have come to an agreement on a back to school plan, the union announced Friday morning.

The agreement, signed by officials on Thursday, sets number of safety guidelines district officials are required to execute prior to and during the school year.

You can read the full agreement here.

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Requirements include keeping students 6-feet apart and requiring classrooms have fewer than 20 students in them, the agreement shows.

School walkthroughs to take place with members of the teachers union as well as district officials to ensure buildings and classrooms are in line with the health and safety guidelines framed in the district's reopening plan, according to the agreement.

According to the agreement, union member teachers will be able to choose between in-person or remote teaching for the first nine weeks of the school year.

The school district will also provide coronavirus testing for staff and students, according to the agreement.

The coronavirus guidelines will be required for the duration of the school year or until Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requires stricter guidelines, according to the agreement.

The agreement was released after the union previously authorized a safety strike if teachers felt their safety was not addressed.