All members of the Chicago Board of Education are expected to resign after the city’s Democratic mayor allegedly tried to force them to fire the public schools CEO amid tense contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union.
Board members reportedly became frustrated with Mayor Brandon Johnson after he tried to have impetuous Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez ousted.
In doing so, Mayor Johnson reportedly also hoped to approve a high-interest short-term loan, which was designed to fill a budget deficit and subsidize a new teachers union contract.
like him Chicago Sun-Times As noted, the collapse of “the tense battle between the junta and the public that preceded it has called into question Johnson’s ability to build consensus even among his own allies.”
Board members reportedly became frustrated with Mayor Brandon Johnson after he tried to have impetuous Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez ousted.
Evidence of this friction within the party can be seen in the words of progressive District 40 councilman André Vásquez.
After board members announced their resignations on Friday, Vásquez wrote in X.com that “it would be disappointing and irresponsible for Mayor Johnson to push for such a risky measure just to reduce the city’s deficit.”
“There is nothing progressive, transparent or responsible about such a move,” he continued.
He added: “The fact that this pressure would lead an entire board of directors, all appointed by the mayor, to resign is unprecedented and deeply alarming.”
Last month, Martínez wrote a column laying out his philosophy on spending
Ward 32 Councilman Scott Waguespack also joined the Democratic mayor.
“The amazing thing is that he controls the entire table and is still incapable of properly managing not only CPS, but the entire situation,” Waguespack told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Mayor Johnson addressed the simmering conflict earlier in the week.
“I didn’t ask anyone to do anything,” he said, according to WBBM. He also stated that ‘the only thing I need right now is leadership that is willing to invest in our children.’
On Wednesday, Johnson avoided questions about whether he intended to carry out Martinez’s ouster.
Mayor Johnson addressed the simmering conflict earlier in the week.
Johnson replied that he “never talks about personnel issues.” I find it very offensive, irresponsible and ragged. And I don’t make rags.
However, the mayor later made a comment suggesting he would remove Martínez if he deemed it necessary for the city.
“Of course, I was elected to fight for the people of this city, and whoever stands in the way of that, let them go,” he said.
On Friday, the mayor’s office issued an official statement saying Johnson “and members of the Chicago Board of Education are enacting a transition plan.”
As part of this plan, “all current members (would transition) would cease serving on the Board at the end of this month.”
All members of the Chicago Board of Education are expected to resign after the city’s Democratic mayor allegedly tried to force them to fire the public schools CEO.
“With the upcoming change to an elected and appointed hybrid Board, current Board members and Mayor Johnson understand that a solid foundation needs to be laid for change,” the statement continued.
In its own statement, the Chicago Teachers Union blamed Martinez for the turmoil, saying the resignations are the “latest instability caused by the CEO in our district.”
“We finally have a mayor who is moving the district away from cuts and suspensions and toward a transformed school system that provides services to its students and their families,” the statement said.
“Until now this general director has said no,” says the CTU.
Last month, Martínez wrote a column for the Chicago Tribune in which he outlined his philosophy on spending.
“I am against exorbitant short-term borrowing, a past practice that generated negative ratings for CPS bonds and would likely lead to additional bond rating cuts and higher loan interest rates,” the CEO wrote.
A spokesperson for Johnson had previously commented on how proud the mayor was that many of these campaign contributions came from “working class people.”
According FoxThe new hybrid board of 21 elected and appointed members will take office in January.
The mayor’s office said it will name seven new appointments on Monday to replace members who resigned.
Ward 9 Councilman Anthony Beale expressed grave doubts to Fox about the nature of the new board.
“I really think they are going to try to appoint an approval board of their CTU colleagues and friends to give the CTU everything they want before this board goes into effect,” Beale said.