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
Assassin's great escape mapped minute by minute: how Brian Thompson's killer snuck out of one of world's most surveilled cities

Step-by-step account of an assassin’s extraordinary getaway: the meticulous plan of Brian Thompson’s murderer to leave from a highly monitored city.

The brazen assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson stunned New York and the…
Voters reveal if they support Melania Trump not living at the White House during her husband's second term

Voters share their stance on Melania Trump’s absence from the White House in her husband’s second term

Melania Trump is set to be the First Lady of the United…
Bashar al-Assad is mocked as rebels unearth photo of Syrian president in a tiny pair of Speedos - as militants take Homs and officials say government could fall 'in the next week'

Rebels find embarrassing photo of Syrian president in small swim trunks as they capture Homs and government faces possible collapse within the week

Bashar al-Assad has been mocked after rebels unearthed a photo of the…
Light the Line foundation hosts holiday fundraiser to support Chicago Police Department in honor of fallen CPD Officer Ella French

“Fundraiser for Chicago Police Department in Honor of Officer Ella French Hosted by Light the Line Foundation”

A special evening took place on Saturday at Cine City Studios on…
Outrage as New York park hosts vile lookalike event after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder

Anger rises at New York park for hosting unsavory imitation event following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

A vile lookalike competition has taken place in New York with attendees…
Florida teacher is found NAKED in classroom with slew of disturbing items

Teacher in Florida discovered naked in classroom with disturbing items

A Florida teacher has been arrested after being discovered naked inside a classroom…
Bizarre detail in photo of Trump greeting French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Strange element in picture of Trump welcoming French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Donald Trump awkwardly shook hands with the leader of France during a visit to…
Syria War | Syrian opposition activists, rebel commander say insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus

The war in Syria: Rebels and opposition activists report that fighters have advanced to the outskirts of Damascus.

BEIRUT — Syrian insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus as part…
Top lawyer tears into Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for trying to 'strong-arm' Daniel Penny jury with bombshell court move

Prominent attorney criticizes Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s attempt to influence Daniel Penny jury with surprising legal tactic

A prominent attorney has criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for his…
Johnny Depp's son Jack has a secret job as a BARTENDER: He works in Paris restaurant where his mother Vanessa Paradis and sister Lily-Rose are regulars

Johnny Depp’s son Jack works secretly as a bartender at a restaurant in Paris where his mother Vanessa Paradis and sister Lily-Rose often visit.

Hollywood legend Johnny Depp’s reclusive son has been working in secret at…
‘Outlander’ Season 7, Episode 11 Recap: “A Hundredweight of Stones”

Summary of Episode 11 of Season 7 of ‘Outlander’ Titled “A Hundredweight of Stones”

There is a lot of tension in Outlander currently, which is why…
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?

Understanding Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader behind the rebellion that removed Syria’s Assad.

BEIRUT — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled…