By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-26 21:00:21 | Updated at 2024-09-30 17:19:27
3 days ago
The head of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) refused to take questions from journalists after deeming herself 'not a public a figure'.
Stacy Davis Gates, head of the CTU, told reporters at a planned appearance that they were 'making her' talk to them.
When told that she was a public figure by a reporter, Davis Gates said: 'No I am not a public figure', despite being the head of one of the largest political groups in the Windy City.
Davis Gates was asked to speak amid ongoing tensions between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
According to ABC7, the two came to blows after Martinez refused to sign on to the mayor's proposal of a loan to help cover a pension plan for non-teaching staff and new costs related to a as yet to be settled union contract.
Martinez had flat out refused to take out the loan saying it was fiscally irresponsible and the board of education had initially sided with him.
Stacy Davis Gates, head of the CTU, told reporters at a planned appearance that they were 'making her' talk to them
Mayor Johnson had asked Martinez to resign on Wednesday, but the public schools CEO declined to do so.
When asked if she wanted Martinez to lose his position, Davis Gates added: 'No, I want the Chicago Public Schools, I want the Chicago Board of Education, I want the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, I want the Mayor of Chicago to fully fund public schools.'
Martinez, seen here, had flat out refused to take out the loan saying it was fiscally irresponsible and the board of education had initially sided with him
She accused Martinez of refusing to fill the current 1,200 employee vacancies in the system and for failing to find funding solutions.
Sources inside Chicago Public Schools told Fox32 that offers which would see teachers' pay rise four and five percent is on the table.
Despite this, Davis Gates is reportedly calling for raises as high as nine percent, as well as an increase in the number of school staff.
Martinez has said that this would completely bankrupt the schooling system in the city.
The Chicago School Board had approved a five-year plan for the public schools earlier this month before tensions came to a head.
Officials published the plan, named 'Together We Rise', with goals they aim to put into action by 2029.
Mayor Johnson and Davis Gates have since accused Martinez of supporting school closures, consolidations, furloughs, layoffs and more to balance the budget.
Despite Johnson asking Martinez to stand down, he does not have that power. Only the seven-member board of education can do so.
Mayor Johnson, seen here, had asked Martinez to resign on Wednesday, but the public schools CEO declined to do so
Davis Gates is reportedly calling for raises as high as nine percent, as well as an increase in the number of school staff
While the board has sided with Martinez this year of disputes, a senior aide close to the mayor told the Chicago Sun-Times that Martinez had now 'lost the board'.
As the tension between Johnson and Martinez continues, leaders from different sectors have joined a rising tide of support for Martinez.
Leaders including the city Comptroller Susana Mendoza, 22 members of the Chicago City Council and others have signed a letter of support.
They wrote: 'It is in the interest of both the city and our schools to ensure that the next generation is not saddled with debts they did not seek to take on.
'CEO Martinez's responsible refusal to enter into short term, 'high interest' loans to address budgeting shortfalls should be lauded, not punished. Chicago needs more fiscal discipline, not less.
'We stand in firm opposition to Mayor Brandon Johnson's request for CEO Pedro Martinez's resignation.
'We also strongly call upon the School Board to continue its support for Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez and to stand its ground against the unprecedented demands of the Chicago Teachers Union to fire him.'
