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
Daniel Penny verdict: Jury unable to reach unanimous vote on manslaughter in subway chokehold trial

Jury deadlocked on manslaughter charge in subway chokehold trial for Daniel Penny

NEW YORK — It appears a Manhattan jury cannot reach a unanimous…
Feel-Good Friday: Celebrating Those Who Honor a Person's Whole Life, Even After Death

“Recognizing Those Who Cherish a Person’s Legacy Beyond Their Lifetime on Feel-Good Friday”

This week’s Feel-Good Friday is a bit different, focusing more on reflection…
Humboldt Park news: City of Chicago begins clearing homeless encampment near North and California avenues

Clearing of homeless camp near North and California avenues in Humboldt Park initiated by City of Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — All Porfiro Elliott and his fiancée Melissa Johnson can…
Disgusting allegations made against Kentucky judge shot dead in his office by sheriff

Kentucky judge, accused of misconduct, fatally shot by sheriff in his office

According to a witness’s statement to police, a Kentucky judge who was…
Can you tell which celebrities were high school cheerleaders from their yearbook photos?

Identify the celebrities who were cheerleaders in high school based on their yearbook pictures.

Celebrities may be known for their wealth, fame, and status in Hollywood,…
WATCH: 'Call Her Daddy' Podcast Host Roasts Kamala Harris Over Infamous Interview

“View the ‘Call Her Daddy’ Podcast Host Critiquing Kamala Harris for Infamous Interview”

Despite Kamala Harris largely fading from the spotlight after her defeat to…
UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killer came to NYC on bus from Atlanta | Reporter Replay

Source reports: Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO traveled to NYC from Atlanta by bus

A bus from Atlanta brought the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO to NYC…
Trump announces new role for his administration, names PayPal co-founder 'White House AI and crypto czar'

Donald Trump appoints PayPal co-founder as ‘White House AI and crypto czar’

President-elect Donald Trump announced he created a new role for his administration,…
ABC7 Great Chicago Blood Drive with American Red Cross to kick off Jan. 15-16

ABC7 Chicago’s Big Blood Drive with American Red Cross starts on January 15-16

CHICAGO (WLS) — The clock is ticking! On Wednesday, Nov. 20, we…
Six new 'Bluey Minisodes' are coming to Disney+

Disney+ will be releasing six new ‘Bluey Minisodes’ soon.

Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli are back for more adventures in six…
Joy Behar And Alyssa Farah Griffin Spar Over Healthcare On ‘The View’: “Obamacare Ain’t Perfect”

Debate on Healthcare Between Joy Behar and Alyssa Farah Griffin on ‘The View’: “Obamacare Has Flaws”

The View quickly addressed the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on…
The Brandywine Museum of Art has been home to a holiday railroad display since 1972

The Brandywine Museum of Art has showcased a festive model train exhibit since 1972.

Chadds Ford, PA — Since 1972, The Brandywine Railroad model scale railroad…