Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday compared the viewpoint of critics against school spending to the Confederate viewpoint on slave emancipation.
“When people in this country wanted liberation and emancipation, the argument was, 'We can't liberate black people because it costs too much,'” Johnson said. “They said it would be fiscally irresponsible for this country to liberate black people.”
At a news conference Monday at a South Side church, Johnson emphasized that he promised to transform the city's public education system when he ran for mayor.
Chicago's entire school board to resign over teachers union dispute with Democratic mayor: 'very disturbing'
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions during a press conference introducing his six candidates to the Chicago Board of Education, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
“I'm a man of my word, and that means providing bold leadership in the moment, not nibbling at the last minute or seeking incremental gains,” he said. “The people of this city are tired of political leaders who want to maintain the status quo and who blame the very communities they put their lives into when their children don't get what they deserve. Not under surveillance.”
Johnson said the current situation and past mistakes that left students behind will not continue.
“And the so-called experts, the so-called fiscally responsible managers, are making the same argument. When our people wanted to be liberated and liberated in this country, the argument was, 'Freeing Black people is I can’t do it because it’s going to happen.’ It’s too expensive,” Johnson said. “They said it would be fiscally irresponsible for this country to liberate black people.
“And now we have detractors making the same claims against the coalition regarding public education in this system,” he added. “These people set up these contraptions, lied to the people, stole money from the people, refused to pay into the pension system, left taxpayers with a bill, and did nothing for me to fix it. There is.”
Chicago Board of Education approves measure to eliminate school 'rankings' after 'years of structural racism'
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson compared his opponents' views on school spending to slavery. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Johnson vowed to build a world-class school district, not leave students behind and lay off teachers and staff.
“City leaders have long resisted investing in our children, and I will no longer accept the status quo,” he said. “Currently, there are schools that don't have the money to buy buses to take their kids to sporting events. Our system currently doesn't adequately bus kids to the very places they claim to be. I can't take you. That's why I was chosen to continue fighting. ”
During the press conference, Johnson introduced six new candidates for the school board and said he would name a seventh at a later date.
As Chicago high schools struggle with staffing issues and teacher absences, students are left behind: Report
On Monday, October 7, 2024 in Chicago, a group of residents disrupted Mayor Brandon Johnson's press conference as he introduced six of his candidates to the Chicago Board of Education. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The mayor referred to the six new school board appointees as school board members, but said they are still undergoing formal review. Once vetted, Johnson's nominee could remain on the board when it triples in size in January and moves to a hybrid model with 11 mayoral appointees and 10 elected members. There is.
“I am confident that these new candidates will work to lead CPS into the world-class school system that our children deserve,” Johnson said, referring to Chicago Public Schools. “I will continue to nominate Chicagoans who are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students.”
Johnson is trying to replace Pedro Martinez, who was named the district's CEO in 2021 by Johnson's predecessor, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
As a former Chicago Teachers Union organizer, Mr. Johnson has clashed with Mr. Martinez over the best way to close the district's nearly $10 billion budget gap. Martinez has refused to resign, saying the district needs stability.
On Friday, all seven board members announced they would resign by the end of this month.
Mr Johnson has handpicked all members who will retire in 2023, just months after taking office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
