Chicago Board of Education votes unanimously to fire CPS 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:

Background on the Tensions

Martinez, who has been CEO since 2021, faced mounting pressure from both Mayor Johnson and the CTU. 

The union’s contract demands, which included costly proposals, created a standoff. CPS officials warned that meeting these demands could cost the district billions over the next four years.

The union's proposal includes annual raises of 10-12% when factoring in cost-of-living adjustments and step increases. The union also called for the addition of 13,000 new positions, which CPS leaders said could push the district’s deficit to $4 billion—nearly half of its current budget—by 2030.

Meanwhile, CTU leaders accused CPS of misrepresenting their proposals. 

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates had been vocal about wanting Martinez out, claiming he was hindering contract negotiations.

In September, Mayor Johnson asked Martinez to step down, citing concerns about contract negotiations with the CTU and CPS’s financial challenges. Martinez rejected the request, arguing that stepping down would create a leadership vacuum that could disrupt CPS’s progress.

CPS Board Resignations

Tensions escalated in October when all seven members of the CPS Board of Education, appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, resigned following pressure from Johnson and the CTU to remove Martinez.

Martinez had opposed taking out a $300 million short-term loan to help fund portions of the union’s contract demands.

Days later, Johnson appointed seven new board members, sparking public backlash.

When the mayor attempted to introduce the new board members at a South Side church, a group of protesters interrupted the event.

"Not legit! Not legit!" the group shouted, referencing their dismay about the board turmoil, with some of them holding signs saying "Fire Brandon."

But the mayor, who referenced how he fought to achieve an elected school board, repeated over and over that the authority to appoint new members right now rested with him, and him only.

The mayor dismissed reporter questions about whether he was doing the bidding of the powerful CTU and likened critics who have called his moves 'fiscally irresponsible' to supporters of the Confederacy.

"The so-called fiscally responsible stewards are making the same argument when our people wanted to be liberated and emancipated in this country. The argument was, you can’t free Black people because it would just be too expensive."

Buyout Offer Rejected

Earlier this month, Martinez rejected an offer from the new CPS school board, appointed by Mayor Johnson, to buy out his contract. 

There had been speculation that the interim board, appointed by the mayor, would then vote to fire Martinez. 

Support for Martinez

Despite the push to remove him, Martinez had strong support from 21 aldermen, who argued that his leadership was crucial for stability in CPS. 

Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th) defended Martinez at a Dec. 9 press conference, calling him a stabilizing force amid the turmoil. Villegas also questioned the CTU's approach, stating that they should negotiate directly with the CPS CEO, not the board. He suggested that the board's actions could lead to a lawsuit.

Additionally, nearly 700 principals had sent a letter earlier this month requesting the current board keep Martinez in his job, citing a need for stability in the school district.

New School Board to Take Office

As CPS continues to face financial challenges and ongoing contract negotiations, a new, elected school board will take office on Jan. 15. Some incoming members asked the current board to delay any action against Martinez until they assume their positions.

"The people voted, they said they wanted an elected public school board," said elected school board member Ellen Rosenfeld. "Days before Christmas, they’re taking up an issue that will affect schools for years to come. We will have to clean up whatever mess this created."

With the new board set to take charge soon, questions remain about whether now is the right time for a leadership change.

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