CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Will Chicago teachers go on strike? Union delegates are scheduled to meet Wednesday and could take action to suspend their strike notice.
The situation is changing every moment and has parents, kids and teachers anxious during this first week of school.
The strike date is set for Sept. 10. That's only five days away.
The School Board has yet to directly tell parents specific details about the contingency plan they'll implement for the 400,000 students who could be displaced Monday.
But Mayor Emanuel and school officials are asking kids to continue with their studies without these distractions.
The first day of school opened with VIPs at the front door of several Chicago schools.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel hi-fived students at shields middle school on the southwest side Tuesday morning. Then he jetted off to North Carolina to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
Emanuel said negotiations can be productive without him. He commented Wednesday morning, after the Illinois delegates breakfast meeting in charlotte.
Schools Chief Jean Claude Brizard said he understands the anxiety parents are enduring as the clock ticks toward a walkout.
CPS will offer a half day of non-instructional programs at 144 schools Monday, but hasn't said which schools are participating.
Kids can't get in without enrolling but CPS hasn't let parents know how to enroll. CPS budgeted $25 million for the strike contingency program, and is still working on the final plan.
School officials said parents will be able to enroll their kids in the contingency schools by telephone or online. They'll release details through phone calls, email blasts and the media later this week.
CTU's house of delegates meets Wednesday afternoon. Contract negotiations are ongoing and all parties hope the contingency plan will not have to be activated.
