CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Board of Education President David Vitale (vuh-TAL'-ee) says he's pleased that teachers ratified a new contract.

The school board is expected to approve the contract later this month. The Chicago Teachers Union announced Wednesday night that 79 percent of the union's membership had voted in favor of the contract.

Vitale says the board and union can send "an incredibly important message" to students that opposing sides can find common ground. He also says the board supports teachers' work.