Mayor Brandon Johnson Names New CPS Board Members After Mass Resignations

Mayor Rejects Calls to Pause Appointment Process

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced six proposed appointees to the Chicago Board of Education on Monday following uproar over last week’s announcement that the entire board was resigning.

Johnson’s Mission

Johnson rejected calls to pause the appointment process and shot back at criticism that he has been heavy-handed in his handling of Chicago Public Schools. He said his mission is to avoid major staffing and programming cuts in the city’s schools — and at one point likened his detractors to leaders of the Confederacy who said it was too expensive to end slavery.

Vetting Process

Johnson said all six of his proposed appointees were vetted by his staff, and they will now go through another vetting process with CPS before they are officially seated on the board later this month. The mayor has sole authority to appoint board members. He did not say who would serve as board president.

The Six Nominees

The first six include:

• Community activist Olga Bautista, co-executive director of the Southeast Environmental Task Force
• Longtime political consultant Michilla Blaise, now chief of staff for Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
• Mary Gardner, a veteran West Side activist and advocate for women in public service
• The Rev. Mitchell Johnson, who works on economic and community development
• Debby Pope, a retired teacher and former Chicago Teachers Union staffer
• Frank Niles Thomas, a labor and grassroots political organizer

Protesters Chant “Fire Brandon”

Protesters chant “Fire Brandon” as the mayor speaks about his picks for the Chicago Board of Education at a South Side church Monday.

Johnson’s Appointments

Johnson’s appointments come less than one month before Chicagoans will vote for school board members for the first time. That new, partially elected and partially appointed board will be seated in January.

Fire CEO and Take a Loan

All seven board members are expected to step down, paving the way for Mayor Brandon Johnson to appoint members who will do as he wants: fire the CEO and take a loan to fill a budget gap.

City Council Concerns

Some City Council members question whether Johnson can push through big policy priorities in Springfield and City Hall, including his upcoming budget.

Conclusion

Johnson’s appointments are expected to project stability and control of a situation that has rocked the city’s political landscape, with a majority of City Council members signing a letter over the weekend signaling deep concern over the developments at the city’s school district.

FAQs

Q: Why did the entire board resign?
A: The board members resigned due to disagreements with Mayor Brandon Johnson over the handling of Chicago Public Schools.

Q: What is the purpose of the new board appointments?
A: The new board appointments are intended to provide stability and control over the city’s school district.

Q: What is the timeline for the new board appointments?
A: The new board appointments will be seated in January, following the election of partially elected and partially appointed board members.