CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago Public Schools students will not return to the classroom Monday, as the school district and Chicago Teachers Union negotiate a plan to resume in person instruction.
Remote learning will continue for at least one more day at Chicago Public Schools, after talks between CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union appeared to fall apart over the weekend.
While there was consensus on four major issues, Mayor Lightfoot said stumbling blocks remain on the path to an agreement to bring teachers back to the classrooms.
"Despite our full efforts to listen and stay at the table every single day, and we have and we will," she said.
Lightfoot said the school reopening plan is safe, and said ongoing remote learning puts black and hispanic students at a disadvantage.
"This is a question of equity," she said.
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Chicago Teachers Union General Counsel Thad Goodchild said in person learning is unsafe during a pandemic and that children of color would be at risk.
"CPS is prioritizing the 20 percent of disproportionately white students, who are opting for in-person instruction," he said.
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CTU President Jesse Sharkey said some teachers are reluctant to teach in person, because they don't want to risk carrying COVID home to a medically vulnerable relative.
"A spouse who has a medical condition that would put them at risk of death if the teacher brings home COVID," he said.
Teachers have to report to school buildings Monday to conduct remote learning. if they don't, CPS said they will be locked out of their remote working accounts and will not be paid. CTU said that could trigger a strike.