Chicago Teachers Union agrees to reopening deal for in-person learning

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The Chicago Teachers Union has approved a proposal from the city's public school district that opens a pathway for K-8 students to return to classrooms for in-person learning, ending a bitter standoff. 

Of the 20,275 rank-and-file members that voted electronically on the proposal Tuesday, 13,681 – or around 67% -- voted yes, while 6,585 voted no, the union announced early this morning. Around 5,000 members did not cast their ballots, indicating simmering tensions within the union. 

"Let me be clear. This plan is not what any of us deserve. Not us. Not our students. Not their families," Jesse Sharkey, the president of the union, said in a statement. "The fact that CPS could not delay reopening a few short weeks to ramp up vaccinations and preparations in schools is a disgrace." 

A sign outside of Columbus Elementary School in Chicago on Jan. 25 lets visitors know that the playground has been closed. (Getty Images)

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Under the proposal, pre-K and special education students and staff will be the only ones to report to classrooms this month, starting Thursday. They will be followed by students in grades K-5 on March 1, and students in grades 6-8 on March 8. 

Chicago Public Schools originally planned on bringing its K-8 students back for in-person learning on Feb. 1, but the dispute stalled their return as the union told members to work remotely during negotiations. 

Despite Sharkey’s comments Wednesday calling for increased coronavirus vaccinations, Pre-K and special education teachers in Chicago had already returned for in-person learning early January, before they were even eligible to receive the shots in Illinois. Then the union started instructing them to teach remotely as well later that month, forcing those students into the K-8 reopening dispute. 

A joint statement issued Wednesday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson said "the ratification of our agreement ensures families have options to choose in-person learning and make a plan that is best for them." 

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"We look forward to welcoming students as they return to their classrooms in the days ahead," it added. "This vote reaffirms the strength and fairness of our plan, which provides families and employees certainty about returning to schools and guarantees the best possible health and safety protocols." 

Lightfoot argued last week that CPS already demonstrated that public schools could be operated safely in Chicago when they brought pre-K and special needs students back to classrooms. 

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"CPS had three weeks of successful implementation of these mitigation plans in our schools, that was until the CTU blew up and created chaos that we are now enduring," Lightfoot had said.  

"Let me remind you of the over $100 million dollars in mitigations that CPS has invested in our schools to make them safe," she added. "They have included: ventilation, testing, health screenings, face coverings, enhanced cleaning and other in-school safety measures."