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
‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 4 Ending Explained: Who is a Shapeshifter? All About Face Dancers and the Bene Tleilax

Explaining the Conclusion of ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 4: Identifying the Shapeshifter. Insights on Face Dancers and the Bene Tleilax.

Dune: Prophecy Episode 4 “Twice Born” concludes with a surprising twist that…
America's best-run companies revealed as tech giant toppled from first place… is your employer on the list

Top-performing companies in America ranked, with a tech giant losing the top spot – Is your employer included?

In the US this year, technology companies stood out as some of…
Missing mom who worked at Walmart discovered dead inside hammock in Alabama forest... two months after she disappeared

Mother who was employed at Walmart found deceased in a hammock in a forest in Alabama after vanishing for two months

An Ohio mother was found dead inside a hammock after vanishing two months…
Gerald Radford, charged in alleged hate crime shooting of gay man John 'Walt' Lay, in Tampa, Florida, claims self-defense

Man Accused of Hate Crime Shooting of Gay Victim in Tampa, Florida, Says Act Was Self-Defense

TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man accused of a hate crime for…
See Selena Gomez’s Floored Reaction To Golden Globe Noms For ‘Emilia Pérez’ And ‘Only Murders’: “Oh My God!”

Selena Gomez’s Surprised Response to Golden Globe Nominations for ‘Emilia Pérez’ and ‘Only Murders’: “Oh wow!”

Selena Gomez could not hide her shock when she learned she had…
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…
Lower Merion home invasion: Police search for suspects after mother, son shot in Wynnewood, Pa.

Search for suspects ongoing after mother and son shot in home invasion in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania.

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The search continues for at least two…
Amy Adams Flustered After Drew Barrymore Explains The Meaning Of Netflix And Chill: “Oh, You Guys!”

Amy Adams Left Feeling Confused by Drew Barrymore’s Explanation of “Netflix and Chill”: “Oh, That’s What It Means!”

Every day presents an opportunity to acquire new knowledge. During a recent…
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder: Words on ammo in shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend

CEO of UnitedHealthcare killed with bullets inscribed with phrase reflecting company’s strategy: Delay, Deny, Defend

A message discovered at the scene where a health insurance executive was…
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…
Healthcare boss assassin's escape route reveals the scale of his sinister plot, says ex-NYPD commander

Former NYPD commander claims escape plan of healthcare CEO assassin reveals extent of his evil scheme

A former lieutenant commander of the NYPD has revealed that the man…
Breckie Hill addresses Barry Keoghan cheating rumors after actor quits Instagram amid Sabrina Carpenter split

Breckie Hill speaks out about Barry Keoghan cheating rumors following actor’s departure from Instagram amid Sabrina Carpenter breakup

OnlyFans star Breckie Hill has addressed the rumors surrounding her alleged involvement…