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
Golden Globes nominations announced by Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut

Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut reveal Golden Globes nominations!

The 2025 Golden Globes nominations are in. “Emilia Pérez” received the highest…
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…
Biden insiders slam 82-year-old for 'cavalier' attitude that makes it feel like 'Trump is president already'

Close associates of Biden criticize the 82-year-old for his casual approach that gives the impression of Trump already being in power.

Some influential Democrats are criticizing the lack of strong leadership at the…
Texas lawyer issues defiant response after attacks over accusations Jay Z raped 13-year-old girl with Diddy after MTV VMAs

Texas attorney gives strong reply after facing backlash for claims Jay Z and Diddy assaulted a 13-year-old girl following MTV VMAs

The Texas attorney who submitted a number of anonymous complaints against hip…
Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles makes shocking social media move as Jay-Z is accused of raping girl, 13, with Diddy

Tina Knowles takes bold social media stance amidst accusations against Jay-Z and Diddy for alleged assault

Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles liked an Instagram post reporting that son-in-law Jay-Z was…
Dems rip Biden for fumbling main priority in final weeks as Trump steals the spotlight on world stage: 'The lamest of lame ducks'

Criticism from Democrats over Biden’s mishandling of key issues in the last weeks, as Trump dominates the global platform: ‘A weak and ineffective leader’

Amid a flurry of high-profile meetings and bold policy declarations by Donald…
Singer MIA says Jay-Z made outrageous demand after signing her as fallout from rape accusation continues

MIA reveals that Jay-Z made a startling request upon signing her as fallout from rape accusation lingers

MIA asserted that Jay-Z once advised her to undergo plastic surgery after…
Cicero car chase ends in shooting crash in Chicago with 1 dead, 6 injured at Roosevelt and Cicero in Lawndale

Police pursuit in Cicero results in a shooting accident in Chicago, leaving 1 dead and 6 injured at Roosevelt and Cicero in Lawndale.

CICERO, Ill. (WLS) — An investigation is ongoing after a car chase…
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…
UnitedHealthcare CEO killer update: NYPD detectives follow leads to Atlanta amid manhunt in murder of Brian Thompson

Manhunt intensifies as NYPD detectives track leads to Atlanta in murder investigation of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

NEW YORK — New York police detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday…
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…