Johnson unveils his new school board member choices
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Mayor Brandon Johnson announces picks for a new interim school board Monday. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced an environmental activist, energy consultant and a former school board candidate among his picks for a new interim Chicago Board of Education Monday morning.
Why it matters: The six people Johnson chose will replace an outgoing seven-member school board he appointed just 15 months ago. The board members' mass resignations were announced Friday to the concern of many local officials.
- The proposed new members would widely be expected to carry out policies the last board refused to, such as approving a high-interest loan to cover non-teacher pensions, and would serve at least until a new board is partially elected next month and installed in January.
Zoom in: Johnson's new nominees include Southeast Side Environmental Task Force executive director Olga Bautista, former school board candidate Michilla "Kyla" Blaise, Groundswell energy consultant Rev. Mitchell Johnson, education activist Debby Pope, West Side activist Mary Gardner and Frank Thomas.
What they're saying: "I was elected to fight," Johnson said. "And fight I am."
- "My vision is about building a system that works for everyone. Imagine our schools down a pathway of new discovery, where you don't have to have senseless cuts and real disruption and chaos."
- "You can actually have a school district that doesn't embrace mass layoffs, massive school closings, austerity."
The other side: Almost immediately after Johnson started speaking, protesters chanted: "Not legit! Not legit" about the new school board the mayor plans to appoint.
How it works: For the first time, Chicago voters are electing 10 people to serve on the school board this fall.
- Johnson will select the other 11 members for the 21-person board that will start in January.
- Each district is divided into two distinct geographical areas and Johnson will have to choose an appointee who does not live in the same part of the district as the person who was elected.
- The mayor said the six people introduced Monday would be part of the 11 members he's selecting.
What we're watching: Whether the new board will fire CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, something the Mayor has reportedly pushed. Johnson wouldn't say whether he's asked the new members to carry that out.
What's next: Forty-one of Chicago City Council's 50 alders signed a letter asking for hearings to vet the new members and council meets Wednesday.
- Yes, but: "The City Council can have as many hearings as they want, there's only one person who has the authority to make appointments, and that's the mayor of Chicago, that's me," Johnson said.