Entire Chicago Board of Education is resigning
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The entire seven-member Chicago Board of Education is resigning, the mayor's office confirmed Friday afternoon.
Why it matters: The mass resignations signal an astounding lack of confidence in Mayor Brandon Johnson by a board he appointed only 15 months ago.
Catch up quick: Differences between Johnson and the board emerged during CPS' budget process in July when the board defied the mayor's directive to take out a high-interest loan to cover non-teacher pensions and the new Chicago Teachers Union contract.
- Tensions heated up more recently as CPS CEO Pedro Martinez claimed the mayor asked for his resignation — a contention the mayor disputed this week — but the board, which controls the CEO's fate, chose not to fire Martinez.
What they're saying: CPS has not responded to Axios requests for comment, but the mayor's office released a statement Friday afternoon saying Johnson and the board "are enacting a transition plan which includes all current members transitioning from service on the Board later this month."
The big picture: The move throws the district into further chaos as it tries to finalize its budget and negotiate a new contract with the CTU, which bankrolled much of Johnson's mayoral campaign.
How it works: Chicago voters are electing school board members for the first time this year — 10 members will be elected and 11 will be appointed by Johnson to a 21-person hybrid board to be sworn in in January. The city moves to a full board election in November 2026.
- The mayor's office says no current board members planned to continue next year. None of them are seeking election either.
Between the lines: The resignations don't bode well for Martinez who had already faced some criticism from board members for his interaction with them but may fare even worse under new mayoral appointees.
- Martinez's contract, however, contains a clause that allows him to stay in the job for six months after termination if he is not dismissed for cause.
The latest: Friday afternoon the CEO issued a statement thanking "Board President Jianan Shi, Vice President Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Mariela Estrada, Mary Fahey Hughes, Rudy Lozano, Jr., Michelle Morales, and Tanya D. Woods" for their vision and leadership.
- But "regardless of the makeup of the board," Martinez wrote, "my team and I remain focused on the work."
What's next: Johnson is expected to announce seven new appointments to the Board on Monday morning.