After two straight days of talks, negotiators seeking a new Minneapolis teacher contract are taking a Sunday break and resume on Monday.

"We're making some progress... and getting down to the nitty-gritty," said Lynn Nordgren, president of Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Local 59. District officials couldn't be reached.

Negotiators are trying to craft a deal that will cover the current and next school years.

The district has offered no cost-of-living increase and the union hasn't sought one. But the district is pushing to lengthen the teaching year by four classroom days, and wants a nine-day teaching year extension for the most struggling schools, plus additional training time. That could pay teachers another $8.7 million, according to district estimates. Many teachers will also earn raises for additional years on the job or added education. The district estimates thar cost at more than $4 million for all labor contracts.

The district has been pushing mainly for changes that it argues will assist student performance at the struggling schools that it labels as "high priority" schools. Besides longer schedules, these proposals involves changes in teacher placement. The union has focused more on contract changes that will rid teachers on what it regards as unnecessary district initiatives and other improvements to working conditions.