Teachers at 6th Chicago school OK longer day

CHICAGO — Teachers at a sixth Chicago school have voted to lengthen their school day in exchange for cash from the district.

The Chicago Tribune reports that teachers at Disney II Magnet Elementary School on Tuesday approved a waiver to add 90 minutes of instructional time to its day. The change starts in January.

Chicago Public Schools says it will give schools that agree to longer days by January at least $75,000, while teachers will get lump sum payments equal to 2 percent of the average salary.

Five other schools recently took the district up on the offer.

The change requires teachers to work outside of the union contract. The Chicago Teachers Union has filed a grievance over the process used by the schools to vote on the contract waiver.

Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com