Detroit Public Schools to send out thousands of layoff notices

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Detroit Public Schools announced that it will send out thousands of layoff notices in an effort to trim its workforce and get rid of the district's deficit.

5,466 of the Detroit Federation of Teachers will be sent a layoff notice. Non-renewal notices will go out to 248 administrators.

Detroit Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb says many of those employees will be called back, but a good number won't.

Layoff notices are required to go to DFT members under collective bargaining agreements. Letters sent to employees will inform members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers that provisions of the collective bargaining agreement may change according to authority granted to the Emergency Financial Manager.

“I fully intend to use the authority that was granted under Public Act 4 following the 60 day window that expires on May 17, 2011. As a result, we have been meeting and conferring with the Detroit Federation of Teachers and all unions, as required by law, and those meetings have been fruitful," said Emergency Manager Robert C. Bobb.

Teacher Kurtis Brown says he doesn't think it's fair to balance the budget on the backs of the teachers. Parents say they're uneasy about knowing that many teachers will lose their jobs.

The president of the teacher's union Keith Johnson says, "Am I concerned, 'yes.' Am I afraid, 'No,' I'm not afraid of the battle or the challenge.

The notices will begin going out Friday morning.