Mayor Johnson Deflects Criticism on School Board Resignations, Argues He’s Preventing CPS Budget Cuts
Chicago Mayor Takes Heat Over Board Resignations
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing intense criticism after announcing that his entire hand-picked Board of Education has resigned. The mayor’s decision has been met with resistance from local alderpeople, who have expressed concerns about the impact it will have on the city’s school district.
Aldermen Condemn Mayor’s Move
The Chicago City Council’s Democratic Caucus, led by Mayor Johnson, is not swayed by the criticism, however. On Monday, the mayor plans to appoint new members to the school board, despite the resignation of the current board. The decision has been criticized by alderpeople, who claim that it will bring “further instability” to the school district.
Johnson’s Plan for School Budget
Johnson has been under pressure to address the city’s budget deficit, which is expected to reach $900 million by next May. He has proposed taking out a loan to cover the deficit, but his plan was rejected by the school board. Johnson has also demanded that Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez be removed.
Interview with Mayor Johnson
WBEZ Education Reporter Sarah Karp sat down with Mayor Johnson to discuss his plans for the school district and his reasons for not acting on the school board’s recommendations.
Mayor’s Response to Criticism
Johnson criticized his opponents for not being willing to make tough decisions to benefit the city’s children. “It’s not a surprise, Sarah, that the people who are upset with me right now, as we shepherd and transition into this transformational moment… are the same people that watch Black women cry when their jobs were being taken away from them, and then blame those Black women for the conditions in which Black children were being raised in abject poverty — [and] many of them are tied to administrations that not only closed schools and privatized assets, but shut down public housing, took the dedicated string for pensions and gave it to greedy corporate interests, spent all the money, left me with the bill, and now they’re mad that I’m actually doing what I promised I would do on behalf of parents, even though they have left a trail of harm,” he said.
Plan for CEO Removal
When asked if he still intends to replace CEO Martinez, Johnson responded, “This is not about a single individual. It’s not, and you know, Sarah, I don’t discuss personnel issues, not publicly. Now, what this is really about, though, this is about fulfilling my vision for public education.”
Facing a Budget Crisis
Johnson is seeking extra revenue from state lawmakers to address the budget deficit. “I’m glad you added that part to your question because this is not about a loan. This is about investing in our children and not accepting cuts. For too long in this district, that’s all that it has done. And guess who loses when we cut schools? Black and brown children. I don’t want Black and brown children to lose under my administration. In fact, they’re not going to lose under my administration,” he said.
Conclusion
Mayor Johnson’s plan to replace the school board and CEO Martinez has sparked controversy, with many calling it a power grab. However, Johnson remains committed to his vision for public education and is willing to take bold action to make it a reality.
FAQs
Q: Why did the school board resign?
A: The school board resigned due to disagreements with Mayor Johnson over his plans for the school district.
Q: Why is Mayor Johnson replacing the school board?
A: Mayor Johnson believes that he needs to make changes to the school district to prevent budget cuts and ensure the best possible education for the city’s children.
Q: Will the new board members be able to address the budget deficit?
A: Mayor Johnson is seeking extra revenue from state lawmakers to address the budget deficit. He believes that taking out a loan is the best option for the school district at this time.
