Judge denies order to stop Detroit teacher 'sick-outs'

DETROIT (AP) — The latest on teacher sick-outs that have closed most of Detroit's public schools (all times local):

____

1:30 p.m.

Protesters stand outside Cadillac Place, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in Detroit, where a judge is hearing arguments in a case that could force teachers to stop skipping school. The teachers' so-called sick-outs have repeatedly forced the district to close schools during the past two weeks, keeping thousands of students at home, so in a bid to stop the absences, the district filed a lawsuit. Teachers are upset over pay, class sizes, building conditions and Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to overhaul the district. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

A Detroit judge has again denied a temporary restraining order requested by the city's school district that would force teachers to stop skipping school.

The judge said Monday there's no proof the union or individual activists are behind the teacher absences, called sick-outs.

Action could still come later: A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for Feb. 16.

Detroit Public Schools' Emergency Manager Darnell Earley said after the hearing that the district's "sole purpose is to get teachers back in the classroom."

Teachers are upset over pay, class sizes, building conditions and Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to overhaul the district.

The district says two schools are closed Monday due to a high volume of teacher absences.

Detroit has about 100 public schools and 46,000 students.

___

11:15 a. m.

About 60 Detroit teachers are protesting outside of a court where a judge will hear arguments in a case that could force teachers to stop skipping school.

A couple dozen are in the courtroom waiting for hearing to start. A judge is holding a hearing Monday on the district's lawsuit to stop the absences, called sick-outs, which have repeatedly forced the district to close schools during the past two weeks and kept thousands of students at home.

Steve Conn, a teacher and activist, says the governor and the school district's emergency manager should be put on trial, not teachers.

Teachers are upset over pay, class sizes, building conditions and Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to overhaul the district.

The district says two schools are closed Monday due to a high volume of teacher absences.

Detroit has about 100 public schools and 46,000 students.

____

7:30 a.m.

Detroit teachers plan to protest outside of a court where a judge is to hear arguments in a case that could force teachers to stop skipping school.

The teachers' so-called sick-outs have repeatedly forced the district to close schools during the past two weeks, keeping thousands of students at home. A judge will hold a hearing Monday on the district's bid to stop the absences.

Steve Conn, a teacher and activist, says the governor and the school district's emergency manager should be put on trial, not teachers.

Teachers are upset over pay, class sizes, building conditions and Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to overhaul the district.

The district says two schools are closed Monday due to a high volume of teacher absences.

Detroit has about 100 public schools and 46,000 students.