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
Target's Christmas ad has viewers in meltdown over 'hot Santa'

Target’s holiday commercial sparks controversy with ‘attractive Santa’ causing uproar among viewers

Target is heating up the holiday season with their newest team member…
‘Southern Charm’ Star Rodrigo Reyes Says It Was A “Fool’s Mistake” For JT Thomas To Call Patricia Altschul A “B*tch”

“Rodrigo Reyes from ‘Southern Charm’ Regrets JT Thomas’ Insult Towards Patricia Altschul”

Rodrigo Reyes is getting ready for the upcoming drama in the upcoming…
DOJ Investigation Sparks GOP Scrutiny Over Alleged Prosecutorial Misconduct

Republican Lawmakers Launch Inquiry into DOJ Investigation for Suspected Prosecutorial Misconduct

According to sources familiar with the briefing, the inquiry into Smith’s office…
The shockingly easy way America could slip into a Korean war... with 30,000 US troops suddenly in Kim Jong Un's nuclear targets, writes MARK ALMOND

How America could easily get involved in a Korean war, with 30,000 US troops at risk of Kim Jong Un’s nuclear weapons – by MARK ALMOND

If you only knew about boy bands and Samsung in modern South…
Hulu launches new comedy brand called 'Hularious'

New Comedy Brand ‘Hularious’ Launched by Hulu

NEW YORK — From world headlines to holiday stress, one thing we…
Yup, the Never-Trump Crowd Is Insufferable

Yes, those who oppose Trump are intolerable

I totally agree, and I would like to add another point to…
Is ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Episode 9 On Tonight? Here’s When ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Will Return

Did ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Episode 9 air tonight? Discover when the next episode of ‘Doctor Odyssey’ will be back.

Doctor Odyssey is one of the fall’s most exciting new series so…
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ice Spice, Alix Earle and more

Celebrity Lineup at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024

Art Week is currently happening in Miami Beach, Florida with a plethora…
Prince Harry reveals why he'll never leave the U.S. and return home with Meghan Markle

Prince Harry ignores rumors about Meghan Markle’s divorce during a book event in New York while his wife, Meghan, stands by Tyler Perry at an LA event.

Prince Harry has used a New York media summit to challenge persistent…
Chicago business: Tri-Taylor restaurant owner warns industry about new scam with customers ripping off businesses

Beware: Tri-Taylor restaurant owner shares warning about new scam affecting businesses in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — A local restaurant owner is alerting others in the…
Tense Jennifer Lopez house hunts again while $68M mansion she bought with Ben Affleck languishes on market

Jennifer Lopez resumes search for a new house while the $68M mansion she purchased with Ben Affleck remains unsold.

Jennifer Lopez is still on the hunt for a new Los Angeles…
University of Illinois Chicago Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory accused of providing flawed results in marijuana DUI cases

University of Illinois Chicago lab accused of giving incorrect results in marijuana DUI cases.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Serious test questions about a Chicago lab could change…