Attendance falls again amid LA teacher strike

The Los Angeles Unified School District says student absences during the ongoing teacher strike have cost the district about $97 million over four days.

Officials’ estimate slightly more than 83,900 students attended LAUSD's schools yesterday— 37 percent fewer than on Tuesday.

Attendance has plummeted during the strike. Because state funding is dependent on how many students attend, the absences cost the district money. At the same time, LAUSD doesn't have to spend about $10 million a day on teacher pay during the walkout.

Contract negotiations resumed yesterday for the first time since talks broke down last week. Teachers plan to walk picket lines for a fifth day today.