Mayor Brandon Johnson asked CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to resign: sources

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson this week asked for the resignation of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, according to multiple sources. Martinez reportedly refused to step down.

The request comes during heightened tensions over contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and follows Martinez’s refusal to approve a short-term loan supported by both the mayor and the CTU.

The mayor's office issued this statement on the matter: 

"We do not comment publicly on personnel matters. What we can say is that Mayor Johnson has a clear vision for public education that includes fully funded schools, access to the arts, athletics and special education resources, and a nurse and social worker in every building. We are committed to providing families a school district that gives every Chicagoan a world-class public school in their community." 

On Friday evening, Martinez sent a letter to CPS families addressing the news of his potential resignation:

"Dear CPS Families, Staff, and Supporters:

"I hope that everyone has been enjoying the first four weeks of school and is settling into the routine of the new year. 

"I want to reach out to you in light of recent news articles about the future of our District's leadership. You should know that me and my leadership team are 100 percent focused on building on the positive momentum of the new school year and implementing the District’s new five-year strategic plan that was developed in partnership with our communities and approved unanimously Wednesday by the Board of Education.

"We’re honored and excited to continue working together with our school leaders, educators, and parents to put the needs of our students first and build on our nationally-recognized post-pandemic academic growth of the past two school years. Our top priority has always been investing in our schools and students while ensuring long-term stability for the system. That means being true to our new school funding model which will promote more equity, and being consistent in our pledge not to close or consolidate any schools. There are also no plans to co-locate schools except for the Velma Thomas Early Childhood Center due to a lease expiration.

"Our students have clearly benefited from the increased stability in our school system. We are confident that our work to date has set the foundation for more success and will increase access to opportunities for all students. We will continue to lead with integrity and transparency in service of our students.

"Sincerely, Pedro Martinez"

The news has also drawn swift condemnation from the mayor's opponents on city council. 

Alderman Scott Waguespack, of the 32nd Ward, said the mayor is making a mistake in asking Martinez to leave in the middle of contract negotiations. 

"I don't think it's shocking for this mayor because he's made so many poor decisions over the last year. It's just par for the course. But it is distressing to see that he is capitulating to special interests who are trying to force the removal of Pedro Martinez in a way that is detrimental to taxpayers and especially to students," Waguespack said. 

Alderman Gilbert Villegas, of the 36th Ward, reacted to the rift between the mayor and the CPS CEO Friday night, saying 

"I think it's unfathomable, really unconscionable that the mayor would make a decision about changing the direction of the CPS is going right now, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month, where you would take the president of CPS, who happens to be a Latino, and talk about replacing him when the children, the parents, and quite frankly the principals, the staff are all excited about the trajectory that CPS is going in right now," Villegas said. "… I just think that this is all politics and it's got to stop because we have children and families that right now are uncertain about the direction of the CPS schools." 

Paris Schutz, of FOX 32, posted the news on "X" Friday afternoon, sparking more reactions from Chicago aldermen in the comments.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward responded, saying in part:

"Never mind the potential billions in new property taxes it may cost Chicago taxpayers when the Mayor purges CPS leadership & there are no longer two sides at the negotiating table."

Gilbert Villegas, Alderman of Chicago's 36th Ward, also responded to Paris’ post, saying in part:

"All because CTU and the Mayor want Pedro and his handpicked board to take out a $300 million dollar payday loan. The CPS Board (Brandon’s Board) did not want to take the $300 million dollar payday loan because they know it would put the district in further debt."

According to Martinez' contract, the school board must give him six months notice before ending his employment and then pay him 20 weeks severance that would cost the beleaguered school district more than $300,000, unless they were to fire him for a cause. 

The school board has not yet identified any cause.

The CTU has made clear it wants him gone, as the union sees him as an impediment to getting what it wants. Last month, amid rumors that this might happen, we asked Gov. Pritzker whether firing Martinez was a good idea. 

He said, not if it's because the CTU is behind it. 

"If it’s simply to accede to the demands of CTU, or to make the bargaining easier. I mean, remember your job as mayor and my job as governor is to bargain. The unions are on the other side of the table. You got to get a good deal for the taxpayers. You don't want to go into further debt. You don’t want to just lay down in the negotiation. It's got to be two-sided, and so I hope that that's not the reason," Pritzker said. 

Ultimately, it's the mayor's hand-picked school board that would have to terminate Martinez. They are scheduled to meet next week to consider that costly short-term loan to help pay the school district's expenses.

A message to CTU President Stacy Davis-Gates was not returned.