CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed a new school board Monday, days after all seven members resigned amid an escalating battle for control of public schools in the nation's third-largest city.
Johnson has sought to oust Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, who was appointed to the position in 2021 by Johnson's predecessor, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Johnson, a former organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union, has clashed with Martinez, including over how best to close holes in the district's nearly $10 billion budget. Martinez has refused to resign, citing the need for stability in the district.
Rather than join the fray, all seven members announced their resignations Friday — a stunning move during the tenure of a mayor who has touted his experience with schools and educational equity in the largely low-income district. The outgoing members, whose resignations take effect at the end of this month, were picked by Johnson in 2023, months after he came to power. They have not publicly said why they are resigning.
“I am confident that these new candidates will work to lead CPS into the world-class school system our children deserve,” Johnson said Monday during a news conference at a South Side church led by Bishop Larry Trotter, an influential pastor from Black Chicago. has praised Johnson and his efforts in education.
Many of the new appointments won't last long, as Chicago is set to hold its first school board elections next month, which will install a 21-member hybrid board made up of elected and mayor-appointed members until 2027. when it will be fully chosen.
The shake-up comes at a time when contract talks between the city and the powerful teachers union have stalled. The district has offered a 4% raise this year, and between 4% and 5% in each of the next three years, while the union has targeted a 9% annual raise.
After the Democratic-led Legislature rejected Johnson's requests for more state funding earlier this year, he proposed taking out a high-interest, short-term loan of $300 million to cover the costs. Martinez refused, calling it fiscally irresponsible. The district is considering furloughs and other cuts for the current year, although details have not yet been finalized.
The school board approves the roughly 325,000-student district's budget, confirms the CEO and approves policies and contracts.
The new seven-member board will remain in office until a partially elected board of 21 people takes over in January.
Before the new board members were announced, protesters inside the church waved signs reading “Fire Brandon” and chanted “Not Legit!” regarding the appointments. They were led outside before the mayor began to speak.
