Chicago – October 06, 2024
All members of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s school board plan to resign, the latest turmoil gripping his administration as it struggles for control of the Chicago Public Schools system led by embattled CEO Pedro Martinez.
Chicago Board of Education President Jianan Shi, along with members Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Mariela Estrada, Mary Fahey Hughes, Rudy Lozano Jr., Michelle Morales and Tanya Woods informed the mayor’s office of their resignations, the mayor’s office announced in a Friday statement. The extraordinary shakeup clears the mayor to reappoint the entire school board.
In a statement, the mayor’s office said: “Mayor Brandon Johnson and members of the Chicago Board of Education are enacting a transition plan which includes all current members transitioning from service on the Board later this month. 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.”
Shi didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. CPS spokesperson Mary Ann Fergus declined to comment, saying the resignations will be received by the mayor’s office first.
The departures stem from an ongoing campaign by Johnson to oust schools chief Martinez, one that is taking place amid stalled contract talks with the Chicago Teachers Union and has placed immense pressure on the seven-member school board to carry out the CTU-aligned mayor’s orders. On Friday, all seven of those members made the decision to exit rather than respond to that pressure.
