State offers a solution for loss of teachers at school district

Hamtramck public school teachers and administrators have been resigning because of what some say is a “toxic” work environment in the district. Their leaving comes at a time of a critical shortage of teachers. File photo

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck School Board Vice President Salah Hadwan could not have picked a worse time to encourage disgruntled teachers and staff members to leave the district.
There has been a teacher shortage nationwide ever since the covid pandemic started three years ago, and the situation is only getting worse.
The shortage is so bad that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed legislation to allow retired teachers and public school employees to go back to work while continuing to receive full retirement benefits.
“I am proud to sign legislation making it easier for retired teachers and public school employees to get back in the classroom and continue making a difference for our kids while earning the pensions they deserve,” Whitmer said in a recent press release.
In the state’s new budget, additional funding is being provided for such things as:
• $370 million to support teachers, including continued support for the MI Future Educator Program (which provides a tuition-free path for college students to become certified teachers) and funds to retain and develop existing teachers through mentorship programs.
• $76 million to expand “grow your own” programs, helping districts train staff for classroom roles.
• $50 million to strengthen teacher mentoring programs.
• $30 million to recruit, train, and retain early educators, with an additional $15 million specifically for rural areas.

Earlier this year, Hadwan took issue with teachers and staffmembers who were openly critical of the superintendent and the board.
A number of staffmembers have been complaining bitterly about a “toxic” work environment that Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed and the board have created.
Hadwan responded by saying at a meeting last April:
“Nobody’s forcing you to stay here if you do not want to be here for this district and for the students. The door is wide open. We are not going to stand here and continue to tolerate threats of mass exodus.”
After he made that comment, dozens of teachers apparently took him up on that offer and resigned, and to this day continue to do so – especially those in special education roles.
For over a year, parents of special education students have complained that the district has been unable to provide necessary services, and some parents have been told to keep their children at home.
Posted Oct. 20, 2023