The entire Chicago Board of Education has announced their resignations after reportedly resisting pressure from the city’s Democrat mayor to fire the public schools CEO, Pedro Martinez, during contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union. Sources indicate that the board members were agitated by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office’s efforts to remove Martinez and approve a high-interest, short-term loan to cover a budget gap and pay for the new teachers union contract. Alderman Andre Vasquez criticized the mayor for pushing such a risky move to lower the city’s deficit, calling it disappointing and irresponsible.
The mayor denied asking anyone to do anything and stated that he only required leadership that is prepared to invest in children. However, the pressure resulted in the entire board resigning, all of whom were appointed by the mayor, which Alderman Vasquez described as unprecedented and deeply alarming. The mayor’s office released a statement explaining that a transition plan is being enacted, with all current members set to transition from the board later in the month, as the shift to a hybrid elected and appointed board is forthcoming to serve the best interests of students and families in Chicago Public Schools.
The Chicago Teachers Union responded to the resignations by attributing the instability to Martinez’s leadership in the district. They praised Mayor Johnson for moving the district away from cuts and furloughs and toward a transformed school system that provides quality education for students and their families, accusing Martinez of resisting this transformation. Martinez, in a column in the Chicago Tribune, expressed his opposition to exorbitant, short-term borrowing, a practice that has negatively impacted CPS bond ratings in the past and could result in higher borrowing interest rates.
The new 21-member hybrid elected and appointed board is set to take office in January, with Mayor Johnson preparing to announce seven new appointments to replace the outgoing members on Monday. Alderman Anthony Beale, a critic of the mayor, expressed his belief that the new appointments may consist of the mayor’s colleagues and friends from the Chicago Teachers Union to approve the union’s demands before the new board takes effect. It remains to be seen how this transition will impact the future of the Chicago Public Schools system and the ongoing negotiations with the teachers union.
