Chicago Public Schools Chief Jean Claude Brizard told the teachers' union Friday that it's time the two bodies worked together on a longer school day.
Brizard sent a letter to CTU President Karen Lewis urging that both sides collaborate in choosing the next 25 schools to implement the longer day next January. The union didn't think much of the idea and claimed it avoided the real issue.
"If you want to take schools to have a school day of 7 hours of length you’re going to have to hire some people to teach the classes. Where is the money going to come from?” CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey asked. “Literally they are talking about budget deficits that are being projected at least a quarter billion dollars a year"
The union also denied it even received the letter and accused CPS of negotiating through the press. So far, teachers at 13 elementary schools have voted to extend the school day by 90 minutes.
