Entire Chicago Board of Education is set to RESIGN after hated city Mayor Brandon Johnson ‘forced’ bosses to remove firebrand public schools CEO
Every member of the Chicago Board of Education is expected to resign after the city’s Democratic mayor reportedly tried to arm them into firing the public school CEO amid tense contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union.
Board members reportedly grew frustrated with Mayor Brandon Johnson after he tried to get them to oust brash Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
In doing so, Mayor Johnson also hoped to approve a short-term, high-interest loan intended to fill a budget gap and subsidize a new contract for the teachers union.
Like the Chicago Sun Times noted that the collapse of “the administration and the public, charged struggle that preceded it makes some doubt Johnson’s ability to build consensus, even among his own allies.”
Board members reportedly grew frustrated with Mayor Brandon Johnson after he tried to get them to oust brash Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
Evidence of this intraparty friction can be seen in the words of progressive 40th Ward Councilman Andre Vasquez.
After the board members announced their resignation on Friday, Vasquez continued to write X.com that “it would be disappointing and irresponsible for Mayor Johnson to insist on such a risky move just to reduce the city’s budget deficit.”
“There is nothing progressive, transparent or responsible about such a move,” he continued.
He added: “The fact that this pressure would cause an entire board – all appointed by the mayor – to resign is unprecedented and deeply alarming.”
Last month, Martinez wrote a column outlining his philosophy on publishing
Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward alderman, was also involved with the Democratic mayor.
“The amazing thing is that he controls the entire table, and he’s still not able to properly manage not just CPS, but the entire situation,” Waguespack told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Mayor Johnson spoke about the simmering conflict earlier this week.
“I didn’t ask anyone to do anything,” he said WBBM. He also claimed that “all I need right now is leadership that is willing to invest in our children.”
On Wednesday, Johnson sidestepped questions about whether he tried to engineer Martinez’s removal.
Mayor Johnson spoke about the simmering conflict earlier this week
Johnson responded that he “never discusses personnel issues.” I find it very insulting, irresponsible and shabby. And I don’t do frayed.’
However, the mayor then made a comment suggesting he would oust Martinez if he saw fit for the city.
“Of course I was elected to fight for the people of this city, and anyone who stands in the way of that, get out,” he said.
On Friday, the mayor’s office released an official statement saying Johnson “and members of the Chicago Board of Education are developing a transition plan.”
As part of this plan, “all current members [would transition] will retire from Council service later this month.’
Every member of the Chicago Board of Education is expected to resign after the city’s Democratic mayor reportedly tried to weaponize them into firing the public school CEO
“With the shift to a hybrid elected and appointed Board of Directors underway, current board members and Mayor Johnson understand that building a strong foundation for the shift is necessary,” the statement continued.
In their own statement, the Chicago Teachers Union blamed Martinez for the unrest and said the firing is the “latest instability created in our district by the CEO.”
“We finally have a mayor who will move the district away from cuts and furloughs and lead us toward a transformed school system that cares for its students and their families,” the statement said.
“So far, this CEO has told him ‘no,'” the CTU said.
Last month, Martinez wrote a column for the Chicago Tribune in which he put forward his philosophy on spending.
“I remain opposed to exorbitant short-term borrowing, a past practice that generated negative bond ratings for CPS and would likely lead to additional bond rating downgrades and higher interest rates,” the CEO wrote.
A spokesman for Johnson had previously noted how proud the mayor was that many of these campaign contributions came from “working class people.”
According to Foxthe new hybrid elected and appointed board with 21 members will take office in January.
The mayor’s office said he will name seven new appointments on Monday to replace the retiring members.
9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale expressed serious doubts to Fox about the nature of the new administration.
“I do believe they are going to try to appoint a board of his CTU colleagues and friends to give CTU everything they want before this board goes into effect,” Beale said.