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
Brandi Glanville reveals doctor's shock theory about the REAL reason her face is now unrecognizable

Brandi Glanville shares doctor’s surprising idea on why her face looks different now

Brandi Glanville says doctors suspect her facial condition may be caused by a parasite…
Missing mom who worked at Walmart discovered dead inside hammock in Alabama forest... two months after she disappeared

Mother who was employed at Walmart found deceased in a hammock in a forest in Alabama after vanishing for two months

An Ohio mother was found dead inside a hammock after vanishing two months…
Trump claims Zelensky agreed to 'ceasefire' in Ukraine during meeting at Notre-Dame where he called one world leader a 'real live wire'

Trump asserts that during a meeting at Notre-Dame, Zelensky agreed to a ‘ceasefire’ in Ukraine, while describing another world leader as a ‘live wire’.

According to President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky desires to establish…
MLB star Juan Soto signs 15-year, $765 million contract with New York Mets, largest in professional sports history: ESPN Sources

Juan Soto, MLB standout, secures record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with New York Mets: ESPN Reports

New York Mets and Juan Soto, the renowned outfielder, have reached a…
Meghan Markle's billionaire friend Tyler Perry gives frosty answer when asked about lending Duchess of Sussex his LA home

Tyler Perry’s Response to Questions About Lending Meghan Markle His LA Home is Cold

Tyler Perry gave a frosty answer when asked about lending his LA mansion…
Beack Park crime: Ricardo Carcamo-Ortega of Waukegan arrested after cutting person with box cutter, threatened child: sheriff

Tragic Cicero Shooting Results in One Fatality and Six Injuries in Lawndale, Chicago, Says Officials

One person has died and at least six others have been injured…
Breckie Hill addresses Barry Keoghan cheating rumors after actor quits Instagram amid Sabrina Carpenter split

Breckie Hill speaks out about Barry Keoghan cheating rumors following actor’s departure from Instagram amid Sabrina Carpenter breakup

OnlyFans star Breckie Hill has addressed the rumors surrounding her alleged involvement…
‘Reacher’ Sets Season 3 Premiere Date On Prime Video

Season 3 of the show “Reacher” will premiere on Prime Video soon.

Reacher’s back and ready to face his next opponent. A glimpse into…
Fears grow over invasion of Apex beast that devours prey six times its size: 'Tip of the iceberg'

Concerns rise about predatory Apex creature that consumes victims much larger than itself: Just the beginning

The invasion of the Florida Everglades by an alien predator with no known…
Trump Vows to End Birthright Citizenship and Give 'Dreamers' a Way to Stay in the US

Trump Promises to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship and Provide a Path for ‘Dreamers’ to Remain in the United States

President-elect Donald Trump delved into various immigration topics during an interview with…
Gerald Radford, charged in alleged hate crime shooting of gay man John 'Walt' Lay, in Tampa, Florida, claims self-defense

Man Accused of Hate Crime Shooting of Gay Victim in Tampa, Florida, Says Act Was Self-Defense

TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man accused of a hate crime for…
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder: Words on ammo in shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend

CEO of UnitedHealthcare killed with bullets inscribed with phrase reflecting company’s strategy: Delay, Deny, Defend

A message discovered at the scene where a health insurance executive was…