Los Angeles teachers head back to school after reaching deal

Tens of thousands of Los Angeles teachers planned to return to work today after voting to ratify a deal between their union and school officials, ending a six-day strike in the nation's second-largest district.

A crowd of teachers roared its approval after the tentative deal was announced at City Hall following a 21-hour bargaining session.

While all votes hadn't been counted by last night, union President Alex Caputo-Pearl said preliminary balloting showed educators overwhelmingly approving the proposal.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, accompanied by leaders of United Teachers Los Angeles and the LA Unified School District called it an "historic agreement" that will usher in a "new day" for public education in the city.

According to statements from the district and the union, the deal includes a 6 percent pay hike and a commitment to reduce class sizes over four years. It will also add more than 600 nursing positions over the next three school years.

Additional counselors and librarians are also part of the planned increase in support staff.