Most of Detroit's public schools closed for the day on Wednesday due to teacher absences, as disgruntled educators stepped up efforts to protest the governor's plans for the district, its ramshackle finances and dilapidated buildings.
Detroit Public Schools said more than 85 of its roughly 100 schools were shut. On Tuesday night, a group advocating for change at city schools known as Detroit Teachers Strike to Win warned of closures and said protests were planned Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, Gov. Rick Snyder again pushed state lawmakers to pass bills to overhaul the school district by splitting it in two, spending more than $700 million over a decade, warning of a potential bankruptcy. Already, the district is run by an emergency manager appointed by the Republican governor.
Teacher and activist Steve Conn said in a statement that Snyder is "attacking public education in Detroit."
The closings also come the same day that President Barack Obama plans to visit Detroit with a tour of the North American International Auto Show to highlight progress in the city and the auto industry. A rally and picket by teachers is planned outside downtown's Cobo Center, where the tour will take place.
The district said it has no choice but to close schools when teachers don't report to work. It said those who don't call in sick still were required to report to their buildings Wednesday.
Detroit has about 46,000 students. More than 60 schools were closed Jan. 11 because of an absence of teachers. Other sick-outs affecting a smaller number of schools have taken place. In response, city officials have started inspecting schools for possible code and safety violations.
A majority of  public schools were closed yesterday due to a coordinated "sickout" of teachers. This work stoppage was the latest in a series of showdowns with state government and was timed with an arrival by the President to attend an auto show. Activists used the opportunity to hold rallies to air their grievances publicly.

Educators have staged several work stoppages to protest the dilapidated state of public schools as well as Governor 's plan for the schools, which involves spliting the school district in two. Yesterday's protest closed over 85 schools and followed last week's efforts which shut down more than 60 and prompted visits to school sites by Mayor  and inspectors. Detroit Public Schools is several hundred million dollars in debt and has been under the administration of emergency manager  for a year.

The "sickout" strategy attempts to sidestep Michigan law which prohibits teacher strikes.  Schools have been found with mold in walls, crumbling infrastructure, and infestations.

In response to the sickout, the school district has filed a lawsuit and sought an injunction against the union as well as individual activists and teachers.