Chicago Board of Education votes to keep CPS schools open amid talks of ousting CEO Martinez
CHICAGO (CBS) — The Chicago Board of Education met Thursday night and voted in favor of keeping all CPS schools through 2027.
The meeting came amid talks of ousting Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union have asked Martinez to resign amid contentious contract talks, but Martinez has refused to step down. The mayor addressed the issue again on Thursday.
Mayor Johnson stayed away from personal attacks on Martinez ahead of the meeting Thursday, and did not comment on any conversations he has had with board members ahead of the Thursday night meeting. He reiterated that his focus is making good on campaign promises to transform Chicago Public Schools.
"This is really, you know, not about discussing personnel issues, and I've said that repeatedly. What families want to know is that the mayor of Chicago is still committed to transforming our public school system. So our families do know that. That's why they voted for me," Mayor Johnson said. "They voted for someone who is actually a product of public education; someone who actually sends their children to public schools."
The Thursday evening Board of Ed meeting was held at Roberto Clemente Community Academy, 1147 N. Western Ave. Outside Clemente, concerned parents expressed concerns that district might be looking to close schools, while also calling for Martinez step down.
At the heart of the battle is contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union. Martinez is opposing high-interest loans to support teacher raises at a time when CPS is facing a $500 million deficit for the 2025 contract year.
Meanwhile, a resolution approved by the board Thursday night promising no school closures until at least 2027 is a response to the teachers' union assertion that Martinez is planning school closures—something he's continued to deny.
Union President Stacy Davis Gates says the resolution is part of a proposal that CTU has already put forward.
She maintains a vote of no confidence in the CEO and says leaders need to find ways to fund school communities despite the massive deficit.
"The CEO has to offer a vision for how you fund the Chicago Public Schools," Gates said. "Whether that is a loan, whether that is more funding from the state of Illinois, whether that is funding from the federal government. He has to give us that leadership. Cuts, closing schools, consolidating schools are things that we've done in the past, that have not worked, by the way, and what we're saying we are not going back there."
Those on the board were faced with fiery and passionate individuals who spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting. These individuals said they wanted the best for teachers, students, and Chicago public schools.
"The inequity and the dishonesty on the part of the CEO and on the part of CPS should be a warning to us all," said Mary McGowan, a teacher at Velma Thomas Early Childhood Center. "There is no one in my school who has trust that CPS is going to do right by our students, so we are calling on the board to please do right by our kids."
The board's agenda did not call for a vote to fire CPS CEO Martinez, although the turmoil added plenty of the tension the meeting.
Mayor Johnson last week requested that Martinez resign. Martinez has vowed not to step down, saying the request was due to his opposition to high-interest loans to support teacher raises.
Martinez's supporters say he has been unfairly targeted by the Mayor and CTU, while Mayor Johnson's supporters say he has the right to dismiss the previous mayoral administration's hire in favor of someone who aligns with his own vision.
"We've had a lack of concentration in the neighborhoods that have been disinvested in," Johnson said. "I'm doing something different now, and for individuals who are used to the status quo, of course they're going to be uneasy."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Thursday that as far as the State of Illinois budget is concerned in this matter, he will continue to make education funding a top priority.
"Whoever the leaders are of CPS, or leading education in the city of Chicago; across the state of Illinois, we're going to provide the funding that we can," Pritzker said, "because again, it's the most foundational thing that a state can do for its economic development."
A group of Chicago pastors also added their voices to the debate before the Board of Ed meeting.
"Every mayor in my lifetime had the opportunity, and the freedom, to choose their board heads and department heads," said Pastor Ira Acree of the Greater St. John Bible Church.
The pastors spoke in favor of Mayor Brandon Johnson's request for CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to step down.
"He deserves ability to carry out his vision without the burden unfounded accusations about his motives," said the Rev. Tanya Lozano Washington of Healthy Hood Chicago.
Martinez is supported by civil and elected leaders, and 22 members of the City Council—some of whom were in attendance at the Board of Education meeting Thursday night.
"We need stability right now. This is a terrible time for a negotiation. I don't believe there's anybody in the wings or anything like that," said Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th). "When Janice left—that's Janice Jackson—I'm like, we're never going to be able to replace her. Pedro, you're a close second, so don't take it personal. I always said there'll never be another Janice, but you're a close second, Pedro, and we appreciate all you do."
In a statement from CPS Thursday, a spokesperson said, "CEO Pedro Martinez declined to resign, not as a rebuke of Mayor Brandon Johnson, but rather because of his strong desire to build on the District's academic progress to date,"
CPS said CEO Martinez has had a good working relationship with Mayor Johnson and his team.
In a letter to families this week, Martinez said the resolution is in an effort to "put to rest" what he called a "misinformation campaign."