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
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson senior aide Jason Lee under scrutiny for voting in Texas

Investigation into Jason Lee, a top aide to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, for casting a vote in Texas

CHICAGO (WLS) — Another top aide for Mayor Brandon Johnson is under…
Whoopi Goldberg and Ana Navarro have HEATED exchange over Donald Trump 'panic' on The View

Whoopi Goldberg and Ana Navarro engage in intense debate over Donald Trump’s ‘panic’ on The View

The View kicked off the week on a fiery note as the hosts…
Luigi Mangione's startled reaction as McDonald's workers IDed suspected assassin after 5 days on the run

Luigi Mangione’s surprised response when McDonald’s employees identified the suspected assassin who had been on the run for 5 days

Suspected assassin Luigi Mangione was apparently left startled after McDonald’s employees recognized…
Everyone's saying the same thing about Luigi Mangione and Trump shooter Thomas Crooks

What people are talking about Luigi Mangione and Thomas Crooks who shot Trump

After Luigi Mangione was arrested, a lot of information came out about…
Jamie Foxx breaks silence about mysterious health crisis in new Netflix special: 'I don't remember 20 days'

Jamie Foxx speaks out about unknown health problem in upcoming Netflix show: ‘I have no memory of 3 weeks’

Jamie Foxx, the award-winning actor, recently spoke about a health scare he…
EPA bans 2 cleaning product chemicals, both known to potentially cause various types of cancer

EPA prohibits two harmful chemicals in cleaning products due to cancer risk

The US Environmental Protection Agency on Monday banned the use of two…
State Rep. Barbara Hernandez's staffer sickened, hospitalized after opening mail at Aurora, Illinois office at at Benton and Stolp

Illinois State Representative Barbara Hernandez’s employee falls ill and is hospitalized after handling mail at Aurora office on Benton and Stolp Streets

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — The Aurora building housing State Rep. Barbara Hernandez’s…
How To Watch ‘The Simpsons’ ‘Monday Night Football’ Stream: Start Time, Channel, How To Watch ‘The Simpsons Funday Football’ Online

Guide to Streaming ‘The Simpsons’ ‘Monday Night Football’: Time, Channel, How to Watch ‘The Simpsons Funday Football’ Online

Get ready to dust off your beloved Bort license plate because Monday…
GOP & Con Inc. Prevent Efforts to End Child Genital Mutilation

Republican Party and Conservative Groups Block Attempts to Stop Child Genital Cutting

Last Updated on December 9, 2024 Over the past five years, Texas…
Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian chemical weapons depot so 'they will not fall into the hands of extremists' after the collapse of Assad's regime

Israel Strikes Syrian Chemical Weapons Depot to Prevent Extremists from Gaining Access

Israel’s foreign minister said Israeli warplanes struck suspected chemical weapons facilities in…
Donald Trump immigration: Incoming border czar Tom Homan promises mass deportation, says he'll start with Chicago migrants

Tom Homan, the upcoming border leader, vows large-scale deportation starting with migrants from Chicago in the Trump administration’s immigration plan.

In Chicago, incoming border czar Tom Homan arrived in Portage Park on…
When Does ‘WWE Monday Night Raw’ Start on Netflix?

What time does ‘WWE Monday Night Raw’ begin streaming on Netflix?

Get ready for an exciting episode of Monday Night Raw tonight. The…