CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Representatives of the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools administration remain at the bargaining table; and although there is no agreement yet, the CTU said they are making progress toward a deal to reopen Chicago Public high schools.
High school teachers are conducting their remote learning classes outside school buildings Thursday, and will continue to do so until an agreement is reached between Chicago Public Schools and the union.
In-person instruction is scheduled to resume on Monday April 19.
The Chicago Teachers Union said they have made substantial progress on major sticking points, including modified schedules to ensure social distancing in high schools, allowing staff to work remotely on days when they do not have students in the classroom, and turning high schools into vaccination hubs for students age 16 and up and their families.
"We went from 'this is not possible' to 'let's partner.' And now we're trying to get that partnership codified. We're trying to get that partnership to be real, tangible, and impactful for our students and their communities," said Mueze Bwany, teacher at Clemente High School and member of the CTU High School Steering Committee during a Thursday morning news conference outside of Juarez High School on the Southwest Side.
While they are close, Bwany said some work remains.
"We're hopeful. I'm really, really hopeful," Bwany said.
Any agreement would have to be approved by the union's House of Delegates before teachers head into the classroom.
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