Entire Chicago school board to resign over teachers union dispute with Dem mayor: ‘Deeply alarming’

The entire Chicago Board of Education announced their resignations after they reportedly resisted the Democratic mayor's pressure campaign to fire the public schools' CEO during contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union.

sources say Fox32 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office has fired Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez and ordered high-interest, short-term loans intended to fill budget gaps and pay for new education costs. The effort to approve it reportedly upset some members of the board. Teachers union contracts.

“It would be unfortunate and irresponsible for Mayor Johnson to push forward with such a dangerous move just to reduce the city's own budget deficit. There is nothing progressive, transparent, or accountable about such a move.” said 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez. I wrote it on X Friday after seven board members announced their resignation.

“The fact that this pressure led to the resignation of the entire board of directors appointed by the mayor is unprecedented and extremely worrying,” he added.

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“I'm not asking anyone for anything,” Johnson reportedly said earlier this week. “All I need at the moment is leadership who are willing to invest in our children.” WBBM News Radio.

Then, in a statement Friday, the mayor's office said, “Mayor Brandon Johnson and the members of the Chicago Board of Education are enacting a transition plan that includes all current members transitioning from their school board positions later this month.” said.

“As we approach the transition to a hybrid elected and appointed board, current board members and Mayor Johnson are committed to providing a solid foundation for the transition in order to serve the best interests of Chicago Public Schools students and families.” “We understand the need to build on this,” the statement added.

The powerful Chicago Teachers Union said in its own statement that the resignations are “the latest instability caused by our CEO in our district.”

“We finally have a mayor who can lead the district out of layoffs and furloughs and toward transformation of our school system that serves students and their families and provides a consistent quality education for our community. This CEO is telling the mayor: 'No,''' CTU said on its website.

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Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates (left) arrives with Mayor Brandon Johnson at the Legler Regional Branch of the Chicago Public Library on February 7, 2024. (Terence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Martinez wrote a column in the chicago tribune “I oppose exorbitant short-term borrowing,” he said in late September. “This is a past practice that has led to negative CPS corporate debt ratings, which could lead to further downgrades and higher borrowing rates.” is high,” he said.

A new board of 21 elected and appointed hybrid members is expected to take office in January, according to Fox32 Chicago.

Johnson's office said it would announce seven new appointments Monday to replace the departing members.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Monday, August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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“I truly believe they are going to appoint a rubber stamp committee of colleagues and friends of CTU to give CTU everything they want before this committee goes into effect,” Ward 9 City Councilman Anthony Beal, a critic of the mayor who reported on Fox 32 Chicago, spoke to the station.