Allowing Teachers to Return to Classrooms on Wednesday

Contentious contract negotiations have resulted in a tentative deal between Los Angeles school officials and the teachers union that will allow striking educators to return to classrooms on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the deal Tuesday. He says it requires the approval of the teachers and the Board of Education.

Tens of thousands of members of United Teachers Los Angeles walked off the job Jan. 14 for the first time in 30 years.

Schools stayed open, staffed by a skeleton crew of substitute teachers and administrators.

The Los Angeles Unified School District is projecting a half-billion-dollar deficit this budget year and has billions obligated for pension payments and health coverage for retired teachers.

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7:46 a.m.

The office of Mayor Eric Garcetti says leaders of the Los Angeles Unified School District and the striking teachers union will give an update on contract negotiations.

Garcetti says the two sides will hold a press conference at 9:30 a.m.

The mayor’s office said earlier that the latest round of contract bargaining ended before dawn after 21 hours.

The strike by United Teachers Los Angeles is the first against the huge school district in 30 years.

It began on Jan. 14 following 21 months of unsuccessful talks.

The latest bargaining began last week after efforts by the mayor to seek a resolution.