Jean-Caude Brizard spoke at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on the South Side. He talked about the challenges the school district is facing. Teachers voted last week on whether to strike.
CPS has proposed a five-year deal that guarantees teachers a 2 percent pay raise in the first year and lengthens the school day. In response, the teachers union is asking for a two-year deal with an increase closer to 30 percent.
"I'm an optimist," Brizard said. "I think we're going to get there, and my argument has been that tax payers of this city can't afford 30 percent so we (have to) find the right number somewhere in there."
ABC7 was unable to reach the Chicago Teachers Union for comment.
"The 30 percent means respect for what we do from 8-3 and beyond 3 o'clock," teacher Anthony Love said.
