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
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield makes major U-turn following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield changes course after the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has decided to cancel a planned policy…
‘Thursday Night Football’ Tonight: Start Time, Where To Watch The Packers-Lions ‘TNF’ Game Live Online For Free

“Watch Packers vs Lions ‘TNF’ Game Live Online for Free: Start Time and How to Watch Thursday Night Football”

Live from Ford Field in Detroit, the Lions host the Green Bay…
White attorney who spat in the face of teenage BLM protest leader wins $750,000 payout for ridiculous reason

White lawyer spits on young BLM protest leader and receives $750,000 settlement for absurd justification

An incident involving a white lawyer spitting at a Black Lives Matter…
UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin traveled from Atlanta before shooting Brian Thompson in brazen Manhattan attack

Assailant of UnitedHealthcare CEO traveled from Atlanta before shooting Brian Thompson in bold Manhattan incident

The individual believed to be the person who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian…
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…
What Day Does ‘Outlander’ Come Out? Where and When To Watch ‘Outlander’ Season 7 Episode 11

When will Season 7 Episode 11 of ‘Outlander’ be released and how can I watch it?

The latest episode of Outlander Season 7, titled “Brotherly Love,” left viewers…
'Shōgun,' 'Abbott Elementary' and more star-studded shows nominated for Critics Choice Awards 

Popular TV shows like ‘Shōgun’ and ‘Abbott Elementary’ earn nominations for Critics Choice Awards.

LOS ANGELES — The Critics Choice Awards are back, celebrating the very…
Urgent CDC warning as new drug carfentanil 100 times more deadly than fentanyl kills hundreds in 37 states

CDC Issues Urgent Warning: Carfentanil, a Drug 100 Times Deadlier than Fentanyl, Causes Hundreds of Deaths in 37 States

Health officials are warning about a drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl…
Houston attorney Michael Howard says he killed his son in 'horrible accident' and then burned Mark's body at Texas lake house

Houston Attorney Michael Howard Says His Son’s Death Was a ‘Horrible Accident’ and Burned His Body at Texas Lake House

HOUSTON, Texas — A Houston attorney has been charged with murdering his…
Major insurers make drastic change as they ramp up security measures after brazen shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Insurance companies increase security measures following the bold shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Health insurance companies have started removing images of their leadership teams from…
Sam's Toy Box: Wellness Wonders

Exploring Wellness through Sam’s Toy Box

CHICAGO (WLS) — In Friday’s edition of Sam’s Toy Box, we are…
UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting: NYPD checking if suspected shooter of Brian Thompson left NYC on bus

NYPD investigating if suspect in shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has left NYC by bus

In New YorkThe search for the masked gunman who targeted and killed…