Michigan pays legal fees for Detroit Public Schools

DETROIT – The state Department of Treasury say it will pay more than $300,000 in legal fees to sue two Detroit Public Schools teachers for what the district alleges was their roles in instigating massive teacher sickouts.

The Detroit News reports (http://detne.ws/2aaAKED ) Treasury Department spokesman Jeremy Sampson said in an email that the agency understands the school district’s financial situation and has been assisting the district in many areas. State lawmakers approved a $617 million rescue plan last month to pay off $467 million in district debt and establish a new, debt-free Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Nicole Conaway and Steve Conn are accused in the lawsuit of encouraging sick-outs that closed dozens of schools earlier this year. The two teachers say they are protected by the First Amendment.

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Information from: The Detroit News, http://detnews.com/

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