CPS board president joins contract talks with teachers union

Strike possible Monday, but negotiations set for Friday and weekend

Original article in the Chicago Tribune by Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah and Joel Hood.

Chicago School Board President David Vitale sat in on contract talks with the teachers union for the first time Thursday and expressed optimism that a strike can be avoided.

"I think we've actually made a lot of progress and I think we're getting really close, even on thorny issues," he said. "I think absolutely a deal can be made."

Negotiations started at 10 a.m. and went into the evening, days before Monday's strike date set by the Chicago Teachers Union. Talks will resume Friday and go through the weekend if necessary.

Original article in the Chicago Tribune.