This Just In!

Posted: Tuesday, 08 September 2009 7:37AM

Students Head Back To School

Detroit (WWJ) -- Detroit Public Schools students and thousands of others across Metro Detroit and Michigan return to class and there are big changes in some districts.

Over 1,000 teachers have been laid off and 29 schools closed in the Detroit Public Schools, as the district tries to stop plummeting enrollment. Last fall, enrollment dropped below 100,000 and is expected to dip under 90,000 this fall.

Emergency financial manager Robert Bobb will be at several schools this morning welcoming students back.

"We want to make sure parents and students have everything they need to have a successful first day of school," Bobb said. "We know that issues will arise so we will have SWAT teams out in the schools all day. And I will be in the field at schools throughout the day, as well, to address concerns and answer questions."

Early Tuesday morning, Bobb said he was upset that there wasn't enough workers to answer a hotline number set up to answer any questions that arise.

Parents who have questions are being asked to call (313) 240-4DPS for questions not answered by their child's school. District staff will be on hand to answer phones until 5:30 p.m. Extra staff will be on hand throughout the week to address concerns.

Teachers in three suburban districts are without contracts, but they plan to be in the classroom when school starts.

According to the Michigan Education Association, all three districts -- Woodhaven-Brownstown, Southfield and Redford Union Schools -- are on the union's critical list, meaning the union does not see progress in the negotiations. Talks in the districts are stalled over salaries and health insurance.

In Pontiac, the school district opens with a new uniform policy in place and only one high school. Pontiac High School opens in what had been known as Pontiac Northern High School. Under a consolidation plan, high school students from Northern and Central High will be attending class at the new Pontiac High.

The weather for the first couple days of school includes rain. Click here for the forecast.