Parents Dismayed As Discord Between CPS, Teachers Continues
CHICAGO (CBS) -- On Tuesday Chicago Public Schools threatened $100 million in budget cuts to schools and the Chicago Teachers Union is threatening to strike.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley explains parents are not happy about news of possible teachers strike again.
The nasty turn in contract talks between CPS and the teachers union has dismayed parents citywide, but at LaSalle Language Academy, one of the city's best elementary schools, there's solid support for the teachers.
As classes dismissed for the day, the mood among parents was gloomy as the weather, many conflicted by the standoff.
"I don't know what to do," said Victoria Fadden. "It seems like there's always tax increases and all these things but this hole never gets filled up and I just don't know how you do that."
But parents praised the teachers and the results they see for their students at LaSalle.
"I really have seen some teachers go above and beyond their work, so I think they should be fairly paid," said Cynthia Lara.
"The teachers are overworked," said Keith Church. "My kids are in class with 33, 34 other kids. They work constantly at this school. They're constantly teaching."
Juana Amaro says if there was another strike, she would support the teachers.
Only a few parents said teachers are demanding too much.
"You cannot have everything," said Veronica Canades.
There's still hope for a settlement as parties return to the bargaining table, but parents here know if there's another walkout, their kids will be the ones hurt most.
