CHICAGO (AP) Chicago teachers and more than 300,000 students affected by an 11-day strike returned to classrooms Friday amid a tentative agreement that ended the walkout and is expected to shape education in the nations third-largest city for the next five years.
The outcome came at a cost, though. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said nobody wins, noting the hardships that students and their families endured during the walkout.
The outlined agreement shows both sides secured key victories and fell short on other priorities.
Experts said those details also will inform teachers unions and school districts as a national wave of activism by educators is expected to continue.
The unions 25,000 members still must vote on the tentative agreement accepted by their 700 elected delegates late Wednesday night. Union officials havent discussed a timeline for that process yet.
Students and teachers returned to classrooms Friday.
NOBODY WINS
Lightfoot said Friday that she wants to focus on getting schools back to normal. But some effects on students are irreversible.
Strike-related damage included athletes who were blocked from state playoff competition in volleyball, golf and cross country. The state athletic board blocked cross country athletes last-ditch appeal Friday, saying teams that didnt compete during regional rounds held during the strike cannot resume their seasons now that classes are back in session.
A handful of high school football teams were spared that fate on Wednesday, when the district began allowing them to practice under the watchful eye of non-union coaches. The decision preserved their ability to play in Saturdays opening playoff round.
Academically, Chicago kids will lose a net six days of school time, and their school year likely will be extended in June. Lightfoot and Sharkey agreed Thursday that only five of the 11 strike days will be made up. Teachers will be paid for those five additional days.
Juniors also couldnt take scheduled PSAT tests this week and will have to use April scores on the SAT for National Merit Scholarship consideration.
CITY VICTORIES
The length of the teachers contract has been a point of contention through months of negotiations, and the city emerged with a clear win.
District officials say the five-year time frame will let them make better financial plans and meet aggressive commitments to add social workers and nurses districtwide.
