CHICAGO – Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to announce his replacements for the Chicago Board of Education Monday morning after current members said they’re resigning by the end of the month.
This comes amid tension between Johnson and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, who was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2021.
“This transition to transform our school district, I was voted to bring about that transformation and that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” Johnson said. “I know exactly what parents are dealing with right now. The anxiety and frustration because there is not enough commitment to special education, our English language learners, and again, we are not going to accept cuts.”
Martinez, meanwhile, has maintained support from school administrators, aldermen and influential Latino groups, like the Illinois Latino Agenda who are raising concern.
“All of the original people appointed to the board were the mayor’s allies. It’s really disconcerting and the unanswered question as to why they are resigning, and if these were the mayor’s allies, why are they resigning?” Latino Policy Forum President Sylvia Puente said.
Johnson and Martinez have disagreed over the mayor’s plan to use a loan to pay for mounting expenses in the district.
A few weeks ago, the Board of Education declined to review Martinez’s contract after they passed a budget that did not include a short-term high interest loan backed by Johnson and his supporters.
On Saturday, 36 of the 50-member city council released a statement voicing concern over the resignation of the entire school board, saying in part:
“Taking out a $300 million high-interest payday loan is not a smart decision when CPS is already facing a massive deficit and the city an almost $1 billion deficit. With COVID-relief funds having recently expired for CPS, it is crucial that CPS leaders keep the interests of taxpayers and our children top of mind as they make budget decisions that will impact the District for decades to come.”
WGN News spoke with Ald. Walter Burnett of the 27th Ward who did not sign the letter.
“The mayor appointed the people that was on the board, he can take them off the board. If they resign and they want to appoint some more people, that’s his prerogative,” Burnett said. “I just pray that whatever the case may be that we get this situation together, that we deal with the financial challenges.”
In a letter to families and teachers Friday, Martinez wrote, “Please know that regardless of the makeup of the Board of Education, my team and I remain focused on the work.”