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The Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Schools Teachers Union announced a tentative agreement today, after weeks of negotiation on a contract that ran out several months ago. Union and school leaders called the negotiations 99% complete, saying that after a short break for the holidays they expect to wrap up the final details next week, and schedule a vote by union members for December 5th or 6th. Particulars of the agreement were not released but spokespeople said that it would contain professional development programs, performance bonuses, a teacher evaluation system, and provisions for the development of new schools. The contract may temporarily increase the budget deficit faced by practically every school district in the nation today, but union leaders agree that given the state of Detroit schools, the reforms are necessary.