Chicago Board of Education takes no action on CPS CEO at meeting, halts school closures before 2027
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Any intrigue about Pedro Martinez's professional future as the CEO of Chicago Public Schools was put to rest almost immediately by his bosses at the Board of Education Thursday at their monthly meeting.
CBOE president Jianan Shi said despite "a lot of noise about CPS in the media," they "cannot and will not discuss personnel matters publicly."
That was the first acknowledgment by Mayor Brandon Johnson's handpicked board, that for now, they're rebuffing the city leader's request to oust the school district's leader.
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As he took the mic, Martinez only boasted of CPS achievements, and squashed swirling rumors of any plans to shutter or consolidate schools.
"To put this issue to rest, we will not be closing or consolidating schools before a fully elected school board is in place in January 2027," Martinez said.
The dramatic saga around both topics came to a full boil last week when Mayor Brandon Johnson asked for Martinez's resignation after the mayor claimed he had floated a list for potential school closures. Martinez has denied that outright, though activists and leaders with the Chicago Teachers Union said they don't trust him not to close schools.
Martinez and the mayor's hand-picked school board also rejected Johnsons' idea for a short-term, high-interest loan to make up a $500 million budget shortfall.
READ ALSO | Governor JB Pritzker stays out of fray over Pedro Martinez as tensions between CPS, CTU keep rising
"When you were CFO you had no problem getting loans," said 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez. "What's the difference now?"
"Chicago needs more fiscal discipline, not less," said 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas.
Mayor Johnson didn't directly address his contention with Martinez, and in his remarks at the outset of the meeting, Martinez only addressed the issue of school closings, which he said will not happen.
"This is really not about discussing personnel issues. What families want to know is that the mayor of Chicago is committed to transforming our public school system. Our families do know, that's why they voted for me," Johnson said.
With the board declining to take action and the mayor unable to fire Martinez it's unclear what, if anything, will happen after this meeting. CPS and CTU remain in the midst of contract negotiations.
The soured relationship between Martinez and Johnson has divided community and civic leaders.
"This decision that Brandon Johnson is choosing to make should not be challenged, it is one that should be respected," said Johnson supporter Rev. Michael Eaddy.
A group of South and West Side ministers stood in support of the mayor Thursday, and said Martinez was disrespectful to Johnson for not voluntarily stepping down when asked. CPS said Martinz is staying on to continue what he says are strong academic gains.
Parents and students are caught in the middle of the political beef.
"I'm happy with my experience with CPS and happy with what Pedro is doing. I don't think it makes any sense to remove a CEO in the middle of a school year," said Philip Taylor, whose child attends South Loop Elementary.
"I know CTU has a job to do and I really want them to protect our teachers and that's important. So there is going to be drama," said parent Katie McMillian.
"As a parent, the school closures is what concerns me most," parent Josh Ellis said. "We've had a lot of disruptions in the last few years for a variety of reasons. We need to have kids in school, we need to have the teachers working."
Martinez said rumors circulating of school closures are tactics aimed at undermining him.
"I think most families in CPS probably want stability, they want to make sure that their kids are getting a good education," ABC 7 Chicago Political Analyst Laura Washington said. "Pedro Martinez argues that the standards of the schools have come up under his leadership."
Some parents feel replacing one individual won't solve the district's problems.
"We have this pattern of hoping that we'll get systemic change from changing one person, it doesn't work," Ellis said. "There needs to be a bigger plan for solutions here and I don't think anyone has it."
