DETROIT — Recently, Robert Bobb, the emergency financial
manager for Detroit Public Schools, notified teachers he would use new powers
granted to him under a state law to alter provisions in their union contracts.

He says he would use the powers to modify or terminate
collective bargaining agreements. The statement was made after the district
announced it’s sending layoff notices to 5,466 members of the Detroit
Federation of Teachers, and non-renewal notices to 248 administrators. The
layoffs would terminate every teacher in the district. Not every teacher will
permanently lose his or her job but a reduction in staffing is expected.