Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to appoint seven new members to the Chicago Board of Education after the entire board suddenly announced its resignation last week, effective this month. The move follows growing tensions between Johnson and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, who was appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2021.
Recent reports suggested that Johnson had asked Martinez to resign, though the mayor has denied these claims. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Martinez’s future, Johnson plans to move forward with the appointments, even as 41 Chicago aldermen have expressed concern over the situation. In a letter, the alders criticized Johnson’s handling of CPS and called for a public hearing before any new board appointments.
Johnson, however, defended his decision, citing the importance of steady leadership as CPS transitions to a larger, partially-elected School Board in January. The mayor plans to announce the new board members at a South Side church on Monday. “I’m leading. I’m in charge,” Johnson said. “They elected a parent. I understand that anxiety because I’m a parent.”
The mass resignation of the School Board has sparked concern among city leaders, with some questioning the reasons behind the sudden departures of board members who were initially aligned with Johnson’s vision. The resignation also comes at a critical time for CPS, which is facing a financial crisis, including a projected half-billion-dollar budget shortfall for the upcoming school year and ongoing contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).
Tensions have escalated over Johnson’s proposal to take out a $300 million high-interest loan to cover district expenses, including a new CTU contract. The plan has been met with criticism from several City Council members, who argue that it could worsen CPS’s financial woes. In their letter, the alders expressed concerns about the impact of the loan, stating that “taking out a $300 million high-interest payday loan is not a smart decision when CPS is already facing a massive deficit.”
Meanwhile, Martinez, who has refused to resign, remains in a precarious position. Although he has support from school administrators, aldermen, and influential Latino groups, a new School Board could potentially decide to remove him. Civic organizations like the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce have also voiced concerns about the leadership changes and the financial direction of CPS, urging the board to keep Martinez in place and reject the loan proposal.
As CPS navigates this period of upheaval, Johnson remains committed to his vision for the district. However, questions surrounding the resignations, financial management, and the future of CPS leadership continue to loom large.
