2 Chicago schools reject longer day for students

The staffs at two Chicago public schools don’t appear too enthusiastic about joining a pilot program requiring a longer day for students.

Teachers at Colemon Elementary on Chicago’s South Side and Burnham Elementary on the city’s West Side voted against joining a longer-school-day pilot, despite the offer of a 2 percent raise and up to $150,000 per school. Chicago Public School officials say the teachers refused to waive the existing contract by 11-9 and 9-8 margins.

School officials also announced Thursday that two schools voted in favor of a longer school day, bringing to nine the number of schools that will add 90 minutes to the school day this year.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis contends the waiver push amounts to a “declaration of war” on the union.