CEO Pedro Martinez declines Chicago Public Schools Board of Education contract buyout offer, sources say

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education offered CEO Pedro Martinez a contract buyout.

However, sources tell ABC7 Chicago that Martinez declined the offer.

READ ALSO | Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez speaks out after school board shakeup

“Pedro Martinez plans to fulfill his agreement with the Chicago Public Schools and ensure that the 325,305 students and families receive the advantages they negotiated with him,” stated Martinez’s legal representative, Bill Quinlan.

As they gathered for a monthly agenda review board meeting, Martinez took his seat next to school board members who are trying to push him out Wednesday.

According to Martinez’s contract, the school board must find cause to fire Martinez.

If not, it could lead to an expensive lawsuit.

Six months ago, Mayor Brandon Johnson asked Martinez to resign, after the CEO refused to take out a $300 million short-term high-interest loan to pay for a new teachers contract and pension payments.

“We asked you, the board, to play a more active role in our negotiations because the CEO is supposed to be bargaining on the behalf of the board, and he is doing the opposite,” Chicago Teachers Union financial secretary Maria Moreno said.

Speaking during the meeting’s public comment period Wednesday, Moreno blamed Martinez for dragging his feet to get a deal done. CTU is anxious to resolve the labor dispute before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The union originally sent CPS over 700 contract demands, including a 9% raise.

“CPS still doesn’t know how to negotiate with its workers. We want to settle via negotiation, and we have provided a pathway to settlement,” Moreno said.

Part of the pathway is backing off on the 9%. CTU is now offering 6% for years one and two and 5% for the last two years. CPS has proposed 4% for year one and 5% for the remainder of the contract.

The board is not expecting to take any action Wednesday regarding Martinez’s contract.

This week, nearly 700 CPS principals sent a letter to school board members, urging them not to replace the district’s current senior staff.

In October, Martinez spoke to ABC7, responding to criticism that he has no CPS funding plan, and is relying on proposed cuts.

He was also asked if he thought the mayor’s picks for a new school board could end up firing him.

“I don’t know. I really don’t. I’m being sincere,” Martinez said. “I will say what’s great right now is that, you know, it’s very transparent what my contract says.”

The previous school board was not willing to fire Martinez or secure the short-term, high-interest loan to help pay for a new teachers contract, which led to a mass resignation in October.

“I did not expect for this to escalate to the way it did,” Martinez said.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
'Sugarcane' documentary spotlights Indigenous resilience amid dark residential school history

New documentary on ‘Sugarcane’ highlights Indigenous strength in face of tragic residential school past

HOUSTON, Texas — The documentary “Sugarcane” has garnered awards and is set…
Mitch McConnell falls during Senate Republican lunch

Mitch McConnell slipped and fell at a Senate Republican lunch

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell fell during the Senate Republican lunch on…
Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian chemical weapons depot so 'they will not fall into the hands of extremists' after the collapse of Assad's regime

Israel Strikes Syrian Chemical Weapons Depot to Prevent Extremists from Gaining Access

Israel’s foreign minister said Israeli warplanes struck suspected chemical weapons facilities in…
Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg says prostate cancer has returned, spread: 'We will continue to be positive'

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer, shares that his prostate cancer has returned and spread, staying optimistic

CHICAGO (WLS) — Hall of Famer and Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg…
CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione shouts as officers restrain him at courthouse

CEO of UnitedHealthcare Suspected of Murder has Emotional Outburst outside Courthouse in Pennsylvania

Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, finally…
Dementia doctor with Alzheimer's reveals how he pumped breaks on disease

Doctor with Alzheimer’s Shares Strategy for Slowing Down Dementia

A dementia doctor has detailed how a little-known symptom in his 50s…
Jordan Neely’s father blames racism and ‘system’ for son’s death — but where was he? | Reporter Replay

Father of Jordan Neely attributes son’s death to racism and systemic issues – but where was he during the incident? | Recap by Reporter

The title of the article is “Jordan Neely’s father blames racism and…
Whoopi Goldberg and Ana Navarro have HEATED exchange over Donald Trump 'panic' on The View

Whoopi Goldberg and Ana Navarro engage in intense debate over Donald Trump’s ‘panic’ on The View

The View kicked off the week on a fiery note as the hosts…
Alleged assassin Luigi Mangione went 'absolutely crazy' and explored 'psychedelic treatment' after back surgery

Luigi Mangione, the accused assassin, experienced intense behavior and tried psychedelic therapy following his back operation.

Friends and family are trying to understand how Luigi Mangione, once a…
Is ‘The Rookie’ On Tonight? Here’s When ‘The Rookie’ Season 7 Premieres on ABC and Hulu

When will ‘The Rookie’ Season 7 be on ABC and Hulu? Find out the premiere date of ‘The Rookie’ here!

December is always an exciting time for network television. While there are…
CEO shooter Luigi Mangione's sex secret after back surgery as he spiraled into health industry obsession

Revealing the hidden truth: Luigi Mangione’s personal journey after back surgery led to a fixation on the health industry

Brian Thompson shooting suspect Luigi Mangione suffered a back injury so severe…
Jamie Foxx Reveals He Suffered A Brain Bleed And A Stroke In 2023: “I Needed A Prayer”

Jamie Foxx Opens Up About Experiencing a Brain Bleed and Stroke in 2023: “I Required Prayer”

In his latest Netflix comedy special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was,…