Now That Entire Chicago Board of Education has Resigned, What Happens?

Mayor now appoints all new members to do his bidding one month prior to election of 7 out of 15 members

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CHICAGO — In a stunning turn of events, the entire Chicago Board of Education is expected to resign by the end of this month, following a tense dispute between the board and Mayor Brandon Johnson regarding the future of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez. The decision was confirmed by both the mayor's office and the school board on Friday afternoon.

This mass resignation comes ahead of a significant change in how the Chicago school board is structured. Beginning in January, the current board, which is fully appointed by the mayor, will transition into a hybrid model, with 10 members elected by voters and 10 appointed by Mayor Johnson, along with the board president. The transition will mark the beginning of a partially elected board—a system voters had approved earlier.

None of the seven current board members—Jianan Shi (board president), Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Mariela Estrada, Mary Fahey Hughes, Rudy Lozano Jr., Michelle Morales, and Tanya Woods—will remain on the board once the hybrid system is in place. All seven were appointed by Mayor Johnson during his first year in office.

Preparing for the Hybrid Model Transition

In a joint statement, Mayor Johnson and the departing board members emphasized the importance of setting a strong foundation for the upcoming hybrid model. “With the shift to a hybrid elected and appointed Board forthcoming, current Board members and Mayor Johnson understand that laying a strong foundation for the shift is necessary to serve the best interests of students and families in Chicago Public Schools,” the statement read.

The board’s decision to step down ahead of the transition would allow new members to acclimate to their roles before the fully elected board is seated in 2025. However, the move has sparked concern and speculation, particularly about its timing and the future of Pedro Martinez as CPS CEO.

Dispute Over Pedro Martinez’s Leadership

The resignations come amidst growing tensions over the position of Pedro Martinez, who has led Chicago Public Schools since his appointment in 2021. Mayor Johnson had reportedly asked Martinez to step down from his position in recent weeks, but Martinez refused, opting instead to await a decision from the Board of Education.

Martinez's tenure has been fraught with challenges, particularly surrounding budget disagreements and ongoing contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Sources close to the matter say that Johnson’s dissatisfaction with Martinez stems from his opposition to certain financial strategies the mayor supports—namely, high-interest loans to finance raises for teachers, as negotiated with the CTU. With a projected $500 million deficit looming for CPS in the 2025 contract year, Martinez’s resistance to further indebtedness has gained the backing of the current school board.

Despite these disputes, the school board, during its most recent meeting, took no action to remove Martinez from his post. However, many believe that once the new board is in place, Mayor Johnson will install members more amenable to his views, and that Martinez's days as CPS CEO may be numbered.

Public Reaction and Community Concerns

The resignations have provoked swift reactions from various quarters, including parents, political leaders, and activists. Many gathered outside CPS headquarters on Friday afternoon to express their concerns. “When an entire board that you selected resigns, that's a rejection of you as a leader, Mr. Mayor,” said Juan Rangel of the Urban Center.

Other city officials echoed this sentiment, accusing the Johnson administration of prioritizing the interests of the Chicago Teachers Union above the needs of students and families. Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th) was among the most vocal critics, accusing the mayor of compromising the stability of the CPS system for political gain. “Right now, we have an administration that is hell-bent on making sure that they’re satisfying their number-one campaign contributor—not taking into consideration the instability the resignation of board members does to parents and students,” he said, referencing the financial support the CTU provided to Johnson’s mayoral campaign.

Johnson’s Denial and Political Pushback

Amid mounting criticism, Mayor Johnson has denied the claims that he asked Martinez to step down. Earlier this week, he made a public statement refuting reports that he sought to push Martinez out of his role. “I didn’t ask anybody to do anything,” Johnson stated. “The only thing that I’m requiring in this moment is leadership that’s prepared to invest in our children, and the strategy is ultimately about what’s best for our children.”

This ongoing tension, however, has left many questioning the stability of CPS’s leadership moving forward, especially as the city prepares for its first school board election this November. The election marks a significant shift for Chicago’s public education system, which has long operated under an entirely mayor-appointed school board. With the resignation of the current board, the new hybrid system will face an early test as the district navigates a precarious financial future and significant policy debates.

Martinez’s Tenure and the Road Ahead

Despite the political maneuvering, Martinez continues to focus on leading CPS through what has been a challenging period for public education in Chicago. In a statement issued on his behalf, CPS expressed gratitude for the dedication of the departing school board members. “School Board members are dedicated, civic-minded public servants who are not paid for their work. They have spent countless hours volunteering their time, lending their considerable expertise and experience to support our system and our more than 325,000 students,” the statement read.

The statement went on to acknowledge the board members' advocacy for equity, particularly in regard to supporting students with disabilities and those from historically under-resourced neighborhoods. Martinez and his team have pledged to continue focusing on student outcomes, emphasizing recent academic gains made in the district over the past two years.

Meanwhile, critics of the mayor’s handling of the situation, including Alderman Villegas, see the upcoming appointment of a new board as a potential “power grab.” Villegas warned that the mayor’s incoming appointees would likely act in alignment with Johnson’s political allies, including the CTU. “This allows for an opportunity for the board to come in, go ahead and do the CTU and the mayor’s bidding around removing Pedro Martinez, and also putting forward a $300 million payday loan, which again would further put CPS in debt,” Villegas remarked.

Cook County Commissioner George Cardenas (D-1st) added his voice to the growing chorus of critics, expressing his dismay over the state of CPS governance. “I know he doesn’t do raggedy; Chicago does not do crazy,” Cardenas said, mocking Johnson’s earlier statement. “This is crazy what’s going on.”

What’s Next for CPS?

With the mass resignation of the board, CPS parents and stakeholders are left with many unanswered questions. As the school district prepares for its first-ever board election, concerns over the stability of leadership persist.

For some, the issue reflects deeper problems within the city's educational and political systems. “It’s clear to me that there’s something wrong with the mayor’s leadership,” said CPS parent Natasha Dunn. “It looks like the board is just tired of being a puppet. They don’t want to be his puppet. They want to be able to do the duty of the community of Chicago.”

Despite the uncertainty, Mayor Johnson appears determined to move forward. He is expected to announce his seven new school board appointees at the start of the week, signaling a new chapter for CPS governance.

With the district facing critical decisions in the coming months, including finalizing teacher contracts and managing the looming budget deficit, the actions of this new board will likely set the course for Chicago Public Schools in the years ahead. The hybrid system, which begins in January, will test the city’s ability to balance elected and appointed voices in shaping its public education future.