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
He let off a fatal volley of shots then hopped on an e-bike, melting into a city alive with CCTV cameras as witnesses called police. So why is the gunman who left UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson dead on the pavement still at large?

Gunman in Fatal Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Still Free despite CCTV Footage and Witnesses Contacting Police

His victim was lying injured on the sidewalk and bystanders were already…
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…
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…
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2024 red carpet and performances: See Meghan Trainor, Paris Hilton, Madison Beer and more

Celebrities at iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2024: Meghan Trainor, Paris Hilton, Madison Beer, and Others Walk Red Carpet and Perform

The IHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM Jingle Ball just concluded with a bang!…
Colon cancer survivor, holistic health coach shares tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season

Tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season from a survivor of colon cancer who is also a holistic health coach

CHICAGO (WLS) — The most wonderful time of the year is also…
Jamie Foxx advocates on Capitol Hill for increased funding for Down syndrome research in honor of his late sister DeOndra Dixon

Jamie Foxx pushes for more funding for Down syndrome research on Capitol Hill to honor his sister DeOndra Dixon

WASHINGTON — Jamie Foxx went to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to advocate…
FLOTUS Return: Melania Shares Thoughts on Trump 2.0 - and Those New Dance Moves

Melania Trump Shares Thoughts on Trump 2.0 and Her New Dance Moves

In her initial official interview after her husband’s remarkable reelection to the…
Princess Eugenie skips Kate Middleton's big night at Westminster Abbey - and this could be why

The Potential Reason Princess Eugenie was Absent from Kate Middleton’s Event at Westminster Abbey

One member of the royal family who did not attend the Princess…
What Movie Should I Watch Tonight? ‘Interstellar’ on Paramount+

Which Film to Watch Tonight: ‘Interstellar’ on Paramount+

As we near the end of the year, the big movies at…
The new Kate Middleton: Body language expert reveals the two signs that show how the Princess of Wales has changed after year from hell - and why she's now echoing Princess Diana

“Body Language Expert Identifies Two Signs of Transformation in Kate Middleton Since Facing Challenges, Drawing Parallel with Princess Diana”

Kate Middleton was far more ‘animated’ and ‘less guarded’ as she attended her…
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…
I'm Old Enough to Remember When the Bloodthirsty Left Told Americans to Shut Up About Health Care

I Remember When Liberal Critics Urged Americans to Be Quiet About Health Care

Back then, terms like crap sandwiches and porkulus were widely used in…