Mayor Johnson comments on reports over potential shakeup at Chicago Public Schools

CHICAGO – As Chicago grows immersed in the DNC, reports have emerged that the Johnson Administration is laying the groundwork to oust Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.

Sources told WGN News that speculation about Martinez’s departure is premature, but in a sit-down interview with WGN News, Mayor Brandon Johnson refused to endorse Martinez.

During the interview, Johnson – a former CTU organizer – listed accomplishments as mayor before pivoting to his agenda for education.

“Everything in my being is to ensure that our neighborhood schools in particular, and of course what’s working well in our selected enforcement schools, that we can actually replicate that model system-wide,” Johnson said. “And that is the primary goal. That’s my vision for public education and that’s the vision I will carry out.”

Johnson was then asked if Martinez can carry out that mission.

“Well look, he can’t do it by himself. That’s the point, though,” Johnson said.

“Are you trying to fire Pedro Martinez?” WGN’s Tahman Bradley asked.

“Well look, you know I don’t discuss personnel issues, you know that. Discussing details around someone’s personal contact, that is quite frankly, no disrespect, that would be tacky,” Johnson said. “I don’t do tacky. We’re Chicago, we’re better than that.”

In 2021, Martinez emerged from a list of 25 candidates as Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s pick to head the schools. Lightfoot hoped for a reset after the 2019 Chicago Teachers Union strike.

This week, however, the CTU asked for an outside mediator to intervene in contract negotiations with the district. It’s a move that could lead to a work stoppage.

In a joint statement, the Chicago Board of Education, Martinez, and CPS said, “We’re excited to work together with our school leaders and parents to continue to put the needs of our students first and build on our academic growth of the past two school years.”

Stacy Davis Gates, head of the Chicago Teachers Union who also worked closely with Johnson while he was with the union, has called Martinez an “impediment” to the contract negotiations.

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