Judge rules CPS board may have breached Pedro Martinez's contract

CHICAGO - Cook County Judge Joel Chupak ruled that Chicago school board members must not meddle in contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union and that their actions have kneecapped Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez's ability to do his job on behalf of students and taxpayers.

Martinez says Chicago school board members intimidated CPS staffers on Monday, saying, "We hold all the cards," when they showed up during CTU contract talks. A judge issued a temporary restraining order against the board, saying the move caused irreparable harm to Martinez and his ability to bargain on behalf of CPS.

"The winner today is the kids who hopefully will have a better agreement and school system because the law will be honored and the CEO will be able to negotiate the agreement without interference," Martinez's attorney, William Quinlan, said after the court hearing.

FOX 32 ran into three board members outside of CTU headquarters on Monday. They said they were there to support CPS. Martinez says they hindered the process, choosing instead to caucus with CTU members and pressure CPS staffers to hurry up and come to an agreement.

Martinez says the CTU, in collusion with the mayor's office and the board, have repeatedly circumvented his authority on contract negotiations.

"When board members showed up, they went directly to the CTU," Martinez said. "When the representative from the city shows up, she talks to CTU. She doesn't speak with our district. What we have seen, and the message was sent since day one, we are in control, we have the power, so therefore, you're not going to say no, you're gonna say yes in how you're going to do it."

Martinez says one sticking point is that teachers are demanding less instructional time in the classroom while also requesting 5-6% raises. He says that's not in the best interests of students.

"I will not agree to reduced instructional time for our children," Martinez said. "We know — parents tell me, would I like more playtime? But if they're below level in math and reading, what are you gonna do about it?"

This follows the board's 6-0 vote Friday night to fire Martinez as CEO without cause, meaning he has six months left on the job. The board said his duties would be modified. But in court on Tuesday, the board's attorney acknowledged by law they cannot be, leaving Martinez solely in charge of negotiations before the board can sign off.

"We will be the adults," Martinez said. "We will make sure that whatever we agree to, it's in the best interests of the children."

The board's attorney did not offer comment on Tuesday. This comes as the Chicago Tribune reported the mayor was warned by a CPS officer that his status as "on leave" from his job at CPS could constitute an ethics violation, as he is involved in negotiating a contract that he could personally benefit from. And it comes three weeks before the new hybrid elected/appointed school board gets sworn in.