Striking teachers, LAUSD returning to bargaining table as revenue losses mount for district

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The teachers union and the Los Angeles Unified School District will return to the bargaining table Thursday in an effort to resolve the issues leading to the teachers strike.

More than 30,000 teachers went on strike Monday as the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on issues that include class size reductions, hiring more support staff and salary increases.

By the end of the strike's third day, the district said it has lost $69 million in state revenue payments that are based on student attendance.

LAUSD teacher strike: Guide for parents

Student attendance saw its sharpest drop of the week on Wednesday.

On the first day of the strike, attendance was 156,774 and by Tuesday it had increased to 171,480. But by Day 3, attendance saw a sharp drop, to 132,411 students, a decrease of 22 percent from the day before.

LAUSD teachers strike: Everything you need to know

A percentage of state revenue to the district is based on average daily attendance.

The new round of talks will be facilitated by Mayor Eric Garcetti's office.

"We will be ready to bargain tomorrow and our team will work long and hard towards an agreement that benefits our students, members, communities," said Arlene Inouye, the bargaining chair for United Teachers Los Angeles.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is also getting involved in the strike. He was in Los Angeles on Wednesday to meet with Garcetti and members of both sides. He said he remains hopeful the two sides are heading closer to an agreement.

"We made great progress today and I am certain that together we will get throughout this and we will get our kids back to school," Thurmond said.

The annoucement came after parents, teachers and community leaders protested in the rain outside the El Sereno home of School Board President Monica Garcia.

On Friday morning, musicians Aloe Blacc and Tom Morello are among celebrities expected to attend a support rally at Grand Park in downtown L.A.