Dearborn school union raises safety concerns as board discusses reporting system and bond support

Kathy Martin, a representative of the Dearborn Federations of Teachers, told the Dearborn City School District Board of Education on Monday that teachers are working in unsafe building conditions and urged immediate action on repairs and remediation.

Martin said some classrooms are as cold as 60 degrees and that other teachers have reported rooms that are “basically an inferno” with no windows. “We have mold issues in the district. We have rodent issues,” she said, adding that contractors the district uses are understaffed and that some work orders take an uncertain amount of time to resolve.

District staff described existing reporting and remediation procedures and trustees pressed for a more transparent, trackable system for building complaints and work orders.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Dr. Malayko, a member of district administration, asking that specific reports be sent to her and to Mark Andrews so the district can investigate. She said the district prioritizes heating, electrical and other safety-related repairs and sometimes relocates teachers while work is completed. “If you have some specifics, if you send it to me and to Mark Andrews we will get on top of it,”…