Emanuel: Students must be in class during negotiations

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants contract negotiations with teachers to continue with students in class.

He spoke to reporters Wednesday as teachers in the nation’s third-largest school district picketed for the third day. A number of issues remain, including teacher evaluations. But the Chicago Teachers Union says they’re far from an agreement.

The strike has left more than 350,000 students out of class.

Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools has increased the hours it’s keeping schools open where children can go during the day. Those schools don’t offer instruction, but allow students to get meals and be supervised.

Emanuel says those 140 some schools will also be increasing their availability with computers. He says that’s so students can get in some learning.

Emanuel reiterated his message that the strike was avoidable.