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
V Foundation to honor former longtime ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott at 4th annual Boo-Yah! event in NYC

V Foundation celebrates former ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott at 4th annual Boo-Yah! event in NYC

NEW YORK — Once again, friends, family, and supporters of the V…
Dexter Reed Chicago: Questions surround city's settlement with mom of man killed in Garfield Park police shooting

Uncovering the details of the settlement between Dexter Reed’s mother and the city of Chicago after Garfield Park police shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — Dexter Reed was struck 13 times after four Chicago…
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…
NFL ends review of sexual assault allegations levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in sexual assault case

NFL closes investigation into sexual assault accusations against Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, in sexual assault lawsuit.

The NFL has concluded its investigation into the sexual assault accusations made…
‘Outlander’ Stars Sophie Skelton and Richard Rankin Won’t Reveal if the Lallybroch Renovations Will Ever Be Finished: “Don’t Get Me Started” 

‘Outlander’ Cast Members Sophie Skelton and Richard Rankin Keep Mum on Completion of Lallybroch Renovations: “I’d Rather Not Talk About It”

The latest episode of Outlander, Season 7 Episode 11 “A Hundredweight of…
‘Silo’ Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: Take the Physical Challenge

Recap of Season 2, Episode 4 of ‘Silo’: Get Ready for a Physical Challenge

Juliette Nichols is an engineer whose work is crucial for the show.…
Bizarre detail in photo of Trump greeting French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Strange element in picture of Trump welcoming French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Donald Trump awkwardly shook hands with the leader of France during a visit to…
‘Before’ Episode 8 Recap: Black Homes and Revelations

Recap of Episode 8 of ‘Before’: Unveiling Black Homes and Surprising Revelations

Well, I’ve got to hand it to Before, and possibly kick myself…
Can you tell which celebrities were high school cheerleaders from their yearbook photos?

Identify the celebrities who were cheerleaders in high school based on their yearbook pictures.

Celebrities may be known for their wealth, fame, and status in Hollywood,…
Revealed: The celebrities racking up the most private jet air miles in 2024 (and Taylor Swift isn't number one)

Top Celebrities with the Most Private Jet Air Miles in 2024 (and Taylor Swift is not at the top)

The celebrity leaderboard for private jet usage by miles in 2024 has…
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!…
US-world news: 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor recalls confusion and chaos during Japanese bombing 83 years ago

A 100-Year-Old Pearl Harbor Survivor Remembers Japanese Bombing 83 Years Ago: A Story of Confusion and Chaos

When Bob Fernandez enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1941 at…