Detroit teachers who make on average $63k per year take 3rd "Sick out" in a row to force the bankrupt government to give them $750mil for schools

Teachers at all but three of Detroit's 97 public schools called in sick Monday in protest after finding out they may not get paid after June, officials said.

The mass sickout by more than 1,500 teachers forced 94 Detroit Public Schools to be closed Monday, school district spokeswoman Michelle A. Zdrodowski said. Teachers learned over the weekend that the district would run out of money June 30, according to Ivy Bailey, the interim president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers.

More than 500 people attended a rally in support of the city's teachers Monday morning outside a school district administration building, according to Nikhol Atkins, a staff member at the teachers' union. Teachers and some parents are urging Michigan lawmakers to pass a $715 million education reform package that would fund salaries for July and beyond.

"There's a basic agreement in America: When you put in a day's work, you'll receive a day's pay. DPS (Detroit Public Schools) is breaking that deal," Bailey said. "Teachers want to be in the classroom giving children a chance to learn and reach their potential. Unfortunately, by refusing to guarantee that we will be paid for our work, DPS is effectively locking our members out of the classrooms."

About 47,000 students are enrolled in Detroit Public Schools. The average teacher salary in the district is $63,716.