Chicago school board signs off on teacher contract

The Chicago Board of Education has approved a three-year contract negotiated with the Chicago Teachers Union after a strike.

Board President David Vitale said in a statement Wednesday the contract ensures a quality school day for students and gives teachers a fair raise and new professional development support.

Earlier this month, 79 percent of the teachers union’s membership voted in favor of the contract.

The contract includes a new teacher evaluation system and better opportunities for teachers to keep their jobs if their schools closed. It also includes an agreement on how to implement a longer school day.

Teachers walked off the job Sept. 10, idling about 350,000 students for seven days. Another 52,000 students were unaffected by the strike because they attend non-unionized charter schools.