Minneapolis Educators Strike, Day 15: MPS Says District, Union Still $167M Apart

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As the Minneapolis teachers and educators strike stretches into its third week now, district officials say they have made their best and final offer to get educators back in the classroom Thursday night.

Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers returned to the bargaining table Tuesday morning for the 15th day of negotiations. The district said in the afternoon that they were closer to an agreement, which union leaders confirmed. But in an evening update, the district said the two sides are $167 million apart.

Nearly 30,000 students have now missed 11 days of school, and will have to make up at least six in June.