On Monday of this week, a judge denied a request by Detroit Public Schools for a temporary restraining order that would block the teacher sick-outs. In recent weeks, a number of schools in the district have been shut down due to hazardous and unsanitary conditions.

Judge Cynthia Stephens of the Michigan Court of Claims has set another hearing for February 16th. According to the Detroit Free Press, the lawsuit was filed against 28 defendants, while 88 out of around 100 schools have been closed due to the sick-outs.

The sick-outs have been used to bring attention to the wretched conditions of many schools in the district.

“This didn’t just happen overnight. There have been problems for a long time,”

exclaimed a Detroit resident marching in support of DPS teachers. In early January, legislation was introduced that was said to improve DPS, yet in the wake of the sick-outs, Republicans have also announced legislation to tighten up Michigan’s anti-strike laws.