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
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…
How to Watch New ‘Bluey’ Minisodes on Disney+

Guide to Watching Latest ‘Bluey’ Short Episodes on Disney+

Batch three of the Bluey minisodes are finally here! Episodes of the…
Gang member Giovanni A. Saldivar, 19, charged with shooting Cicero police officer at 35th Street and 61st Court: officials

19-year-old Gang Member Accused of Shooting Cicero Police Officer According to Officials

CICERO, Ill. (WLS) — A Cicero spokesperson announced that a 19-year-old individual…
Acclaimed poet and activist Nikki Giovanni dies at 81

Renowned poet and activist Nikki Giovanni passes away at 81

Renowned poet, activist, author and professor Nikki Giovanni has died. She was…
Daniel Penny spotted with his girlfriend as liberal media, BLM and AOC have complete meltdown over not guilty verdict

Daniel Penny and his girlfriend captured together amidst uproar from liberal media, BLM, and AOC after verdict of not guilty

A day before his acquittal in the case involving the death of…
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…
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,…
Man recalls CEO murder suspect being spotted at McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania

Suspect in CEO murder case seen at McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania

In Altoona, Pennsylvania, a McDonald’s worker played a key role in helping…
Rape 'victim's lawyer attacks Jay-Z accusing him of 'harassing' his family and colleagues to divert attention from bombshell case after rapper claimed he was blackmailed

Lawyer of woman accusing Jay-Z of rape speaks out: Claiming the rapper is pressuring her family and friends to shift focus from the case, following his allegation of being extorted.

Tony Buzbee accuses Jay-Z of ‘harassing’ his family after being named in…
Eddison Park, Chicago business owner Marianne Mandel loses $30K to check washing scam

Chicago Business Owner Marianne Mandel loses $30,000 to fraudulent check scam in Eddison Park

CHICAGO (WLS) — Local businesswoman Marianne Mandel said she recently lost almost…
Jamie Foxx breaks silence about mysterious health crisis in new Netflix special: 'I don't remember 20 days'

Jamie Foxx speaks out about unknown health problem in upcoming Netflix show: ‘I have no memory of 3 weeks’

Jamie Foxx, the award-winning actor, recently spoke about a health scare he…
Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles makes shocking social media move as Jay-Z is accused of raping girl, 13, with Diddy

Tina Knowles takes bold social media stance amidst accusations against Jay-Z and Diddy for alleged assault

Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles liked an Instagram post reporting that son-in-law Jay-Z was…