ST. PAUL (AP) -- The St. Paul teachers union and Minnesota's second-largest school district have reached a tentative contract agreement, ending a strike that began Tuesday and canceled classes for some 36,000 students.

The agreement was reached about 3:30 a.m. Friday after more than 19 hours of mediation that began early Thursday.

The union represents about 3,600 teachers and support staff. It said it was in the best interest of all involved to settle the contract, given the uncertainty of possible school closures due to the coronavirus.

A vote by union members on the tentative agreement has not been scheduled.

Students will return to class Monday.

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