LANSING, Mich. (Great Lakes News) – Today is March 1st, the date Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she wanted schools to reopen. However, many schools districts around the state have ignored her request.

Whitmer has issued dozens of orders to businesses and individuals for nearly a year, but she did not resort to executive orders regarding her school reopening date.

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Critics say the teachers union is opposed to returning to classrooms and Whitmer doesn’t want to cross its members.

Meanwhile, parents are planning a protest in Lansing on Saturday against schools refusing to reopen.