Time is ticking to the start of a new school year, but teachers in Detroit are still working to solidify a contract with higher pay.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District and its teachers have reached an agreement to return to classrooms for in-person learning under updated COVID safety standards.

DETROIT – The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) Local 231 announced Tuesday they have reached agreement on a one-year successor contract for the 2020-21 academic year. DFT members ratified the agreement on Oct. 5, according to the district. This shall be the only step movement for these unit members during the 2020-2021 school year. All other DFT unit members not on the teacher salary schedule shall receive a base wage increase of 2.74% as of the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Aug. 28, 2020: DPSCD and Detroit Federation of Teachers reach deal to reopen schools

DETROIT An agreement to reopen schools was reached between the Detroit Public Schools Community District and the Detroit Federation of Teachers. For some of our families and students, this means face-to-face instruction and for others it is online learning.Schools are expected to reopen Sept. 8. Nearly all schools will offer some level of face-to-face instruction, even if most teachers and students will function online at particular schools. Required use and distribution of masks for students, teachers, and all staff. For more information on the reopening of schools, visit the official DPSCD website here.

DETROIT According to the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT), 91 percent of its membership approved a strike vote which would allow the union to call a strike in the event negotiations break down with the school district. The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) offered in-person summer school and anticipated about 25 percent of its student population would opt for in-person instruction. As of right now, it does not appear there will be sufficient teachers to accommodate in-person instruction. Wednesdays vote doesnt mean a strike is imminent but that the union has authorized one if negotiations break down. Detroit is scheduled to return back to school Sept. 8.

DETROIT The Detroit Federation of Teachers met on Wednesday evening and authorized a strike vote, and said that negotiations will continue. The authorization of a strike vote gives leaders of the Detroit Federation of Teachers the authority to use a possible strike as a bargaining tool. Both sides have been working toward a new contract for the 4,500 members of the DFT -- 3,500 of whom are teachers for DPSCD. While negotiations continue with no breakdown during the process, DFT called for the vote among its membership. READ: DPSCD continues to negotiate with teachers over new contract