Chicago Public Schools canceled classes again Monday for the fourth straight day.
The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools are at a standoff due to COVID-19 protocols. The standoff has lasted for two weeks.
- The union wants to have schools move to remote learning as COVID-19 cases climb due to the omicron variant, according to CNN. The city, however, wants children in classrooms.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said over the weekend that she was confident the CTU and the CPS would reach a deal, per ABC 7 Chicago. No deal was reached.
Mayor Lightfoot and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez released a joint statement over the weekend.
- “Out of fairness and consideration for parents who need to prepare, classes will be canceled again Monday. Although we have been negotiating hard throughout the day, there has not been sufficient progress for us to predict a return to class tomorrow. We will continue to negotiate through the night and will provide an update if we have made substantial progress.”
The CPS released a statement, too, about cancellations.
- “Classes are currently canceled for all CPS students on Monday, January 10, but we remain committed to reaching an agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union as soon as possible.”
The battle in Chicago represents a nationwide debate about whether or not to allow in-person learning in school due to the coronavirus pandemic, specifically as cases climb higher due to the omicron variant.