New Chicago School Board Addresses Leadership Crisis

CHICAGO — The newly appointed Chicago school board, established by Mayor Brandon Johnson amid significant leadership changes, held its inaugural meeting on Thursday. The session was largely uneventful, focusing on swearing in the seven new members and outlining the agenda for the upcoming week.

Attention was on the board’s potential decision regarding the fate of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, following a public dispute between him and the mayor over financial issues. The previous board, primarily comprised of Johnson’s appointees, resigned earlier this month under pressure to remove Martinez.

However, during the meeting, the new board did not take any steps to dismiss Martinez. After a brief public session, the members convened privately for about half an hour to discuss personnel matters, but they quickly adjourned without making any announcements. Any personnel actions would typically need to be listed on the agenda at least 48 hours in advance.

Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, former executive director of the Developing Communities Project, was elected president, while community organizer Mary Gardner became vice president. Johnson emphasized the importance of addressing disparities in educational outcomes for Black students and highlighted the need to manage pension obligations, referencing a significant $175 million payment for non-teaching staff pensions that has created tension between the mayor and Martinez.

The new board members took the oath of office, committing to uphold the interests of students and taxpayers as they steer Chicago Public Schools. They expressed their determination to focus on the needs of students and families amid the challenges facing the district.

The Johnson administration described the transition as part of an orderly shift to a new partially elected board set to begin in January, which will consist of 11 mayoral appointees and 10 elected members. However, supporters of Martinez have raised concerns that the new board may be inclined to remove him, just three years after he was appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The mayor and Martinez have disagreed over a request for the district to secure a short-term, high-interest loan to cover costs related to a teachers’ contract currently being negotiated and the non-teaching staff pension payment. Martinez contends that the district should avoid incurring more debt and insists that the city cover the pension expenses as it has historically.

Union representatives and parents voiced their concerns about the planned closures of seven Acero charter schools affecting approximately 2,000 predominantly Latino students. They urged the new board to intervene and prevent the closures, arguing for the preservation of educational opportunities for affected students.

In response to criticism from union leaders, Martinez stated that he learned about the closures simultaneously with parents and is currently engaging with Acero leaders to better understand the situation.

Mila Koumpilova is the senior reporter for Chalkbeat Chicago, focusing on educational developments in public schools. Contact her at mkoumpilova@chalkbeat.org.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to covering changes in public education.
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