The Latest: Mayor calls demand to make up days ‘nonstarter’

CHICAGO (AP) — The Latest on Chicago Public Schools teachers’ strike (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the teachers union’s demand to make up two weeks of lost class time because of their strike is a “nonstarter.”

Lightfoot said Thursday that the Chicago Teachers Union presented a “unilateral demand” as they accepted a tentative agreement late Wednesday with the nation’s third-largest district.

Lightfoot says she’s only open to continuing discussions that are in the “spirit of compromise.” She has maintained throughout the strike that she won’t extend the school year.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson says there isn’t a way to do it without further disrupting families’ lives.

CTU delegates voted Wednesday night to accept a tentative agreement that includes pay raises over a five-year contract.

The impasse has led to more than 300,000 students missing 11 days of school.

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8 a.m.

Striking Chicago teachers say they will return to their classrooms but only if the city agrees to make up two weeks of lost class time.

Elected delegates for the Chicago Teachers Union voted Wednesday night to accept a tentative agreement with the nation’s third-largest school district but say they won’t come back without Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s commitment.

The union is encouraging members to fill the streets outside City Hall on Thursday, hoping to pressure Lightfoot into accepting its terms. The impasse cancelled classes for an 11th day for more than 300,000 students.

Lightfoot says she won’t accept the union’s demand. She’s said throughout the strike that she would not extend the school year

CTU President Jesse Sharkey says Lightfoot’s refusal feels like punishment for teachers and will hurt students.