mayor chaos
Chicago Board of Education votes unanimously to fire CPS CEO Pedro Martinez
By Paris Schutz and FOX 32 Digital Staff
Published December 20, 2024 2:56pm CST
Chicago Board of Education votes unanimously to fire CPS CEO Pedro Martinez
The Chicago Board of Education has voted unanimously to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
CHICAGO - The Chicago Board of Education voted unanimously Friday night to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
Board members returned from a closed session just after 9 p.m. and announced their decision a short time later with a 6-0 vote in favor of Martinez's firing.
Martinez, who is being fired without cause, will receive six months of salary and a lump-sum payment. His duties will also be modified, board members said.
Following the decision, FOX 32’s Paris Schutz asked board member Frank Thomas why he voted to terminate Martinez but received no response. Other board members also declined to comment.
Martinez addressed reporters after the vote, expressing disappointment and frustration.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed by the board's decision tonight. Leading the system that shaped me has been the opportunity of a lifetime and I am so proud of the work that we have done together. From record-high graduation rates, record-low dropout rates, the strongest post-pandemic reading recovery among large cities," Martinez said. "…If you want to move on from me, just honor the terms of my contract. That's all I ever said. I never questioned any board who wants their own leader. But, it's important because it's not about me. It's important that we have a smooth transition to a new CEO instead of throwing everything into chaos in the middle of the school year."
Martinez added, "It’s not right for any leader to leave midyear. … If there is a silver lining, it’s that educators, families, and especially our students will be spared the disruption of a midyear leadership change."
Martinez will remain as CEO through the rest of the school year. He hinted at potential legal action, emphasizing the terms of his contract.
"First of all, I have been very, very restrained this whole period, since all of this started. Never started by me, by the way… All I've ever asked, let me do my work, follow my contract. And so, Paris, that's what is still going to happen. My contract is really clear. There are state laws. There are work policies, but more importantly, my contract is very clear. And if you haven't met my lawyer, please get to know my lawyer," Martinez said.
Prior to the meeting, Martinez’s legal team warned board members of potential legal action if they moved to terminate him.
The meeting marked the board’s third attempt to remove Martinez following Mayor Brandon Johnson’s earlier call for his resignation and the board’s offer of a contract buyout.
In the letter, Martinez’s lawyers alleged a "coordinated campaign" by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Mayor Johnson to oust him after he declined to approve a loan for what they described as an "unprecedented" multi-billion-dollar contract.
The letter also accused the board of manufacturing cause for his dismissal and argued that plans to appoint a co-CEO would violate his contract.
The full letter from Martinez's legal team can be found below:
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