Teachers and board members in a school district in northwest suburban McHenry reached a tentative agreement early Saturday to end a seven-day strike that kept more than 2,500 students out of school.
The contract negotiations for McHenry High School District 156 wrapped up around midnight, but the specifics of the agreement will not be released until the contract is ratified, which school officials hope will happen on Monday. Students are expected to return to class Tuesday.
Teachers and board members clashed over pay and insurance contributions and failed to reach an agreement by Oct. 1, leading to the teachers' strike.
More than 150 teachers refused to report to school to picket at both McHenry Community High School's East and West campuses.
During the strike, all classes as well as all school activities were canceled, including the Homecoming dance that was supposed to take place Friday night. The high school football team, which represents both campuses, also had to forfeit Friday's game.
The District 156 strike came on the heels of another suburban teachers' strike in Prospect Heights, where an entire week of classes were canceled as officials fought over pay.
