By The New York Times (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-04 21:23:09 | Updated at 2024-10-04 23:23:05
2 hours ago
U.S.|Entire Chicago Education Board to Resign Amid Tensions Between Mayor and Schools Chief
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/04/us/chicago-education-board-resignations.html
Mayor Brandon Johnson has been at odds with the head of Chicago Public Schools over his plan to fill a $1 billion gap in the district’s budget.
Oct. 4, 2024, 5:01 p.m. ET
All of Chicago’s board of education members announced their resignations on Friday amid tense disagreements between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the chief executive of Chicago Public Schools over the school district’s budget next year.
The move by the seven board members, including Jianan Shi, the board president, comes in the midst of contract negotiations between the school district and the Chicago Teachers Union.
Mr. Johnson, who is aligned with the union, and Pedro Martinez, the chief executive of Chicago’s school district, have clashed over the mayor’s plan to fill a $1 billion gap in the district’s budget.
As part of his plan, Mr. Johnson had proposed a $300 million high-interest loan to cover a $175 million pension for staff members in the district who aren’t teachers, and to cover pay increases for members of the union, among other things.
Mr. Martinez has vehemently opposed the plan, initially with the support of the education board. In response, Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Martinez to resign in late September, according to The Chicago Sun-Times and the local station WBEZ.
The mass resignation paves the way for Mr. Johnson to install a new board, one that could force Mr. Martinez to step down and put in place the mayor’s budget plan. But starting in January, the board will shift to what officials called a hybrid makeup, meaning half of the members will be elected and the other half will be appointed by the mayor.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
