Mayor Johnson’s New CPS Board Chair Praises Him and Supports His Plans

Three weeks after the entire Chicago Board of Education resigned, the board’s new president Thursday praised Mayor Brandon Johnson at a politically tumultuous time and indicated he is willing to lead the school district in the direction Johnson has directed.

New Board President’s Remarks

“This is a moment we cannot afford to waste,” said the Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson in his first meeting as board president. “My view is that the mayor has a clear vision for public education here in Chicago: a fully funded school district that gives every Chicagoan a world-class public school in their neighborhoods. A transformation of our public education is a fundamental piece for the vision of the [alcalde] Johnson to transform Chicago,” he commented.

“I am proud to not only align myself with this vision, but I am also proud to have been chosen to work to begin implementing it,” he added.

New Board Members

The new board members gathered to pray on stage just before the meeting. And the board’s president, the Rev. Johnson, no known relation to the mayor, began with religious comments.

“All the work of this board and previous boards has required the strength of your faith,” he said. “Because all of us on this board understand that the children for whom we are responsible are not our children, but the children of the one who created each and every one of them. Regardless of your faith path, most of us believe that someone created these children, and we are the stewards to guide them through the early parts of their lives,” Johnson noted.

New Board Member Perspectives

Board members personally appointed by the mayor bombarded district officials with questions about their proposals with an intensity and length that has been rare for Chicago school boards.

Michilla “Kyla” Blaise, one of the new board members, brought one of her two children to the meeting to watch her be sworn in. Blaise said she was a first-generation college student and that being named to the board is a “big deal.”

“We’re here for the kids and we’re here for the students,” said Blais. “I want to make sure we stay focused on work. We make sure the stage is set for greatness.”

Rafael Yañez, another new board member, is a Chicago police officer who investigates hate crimes. He said wrestling helped keep him on track as a student in his alma mater, Benito Juárez High School, which he attended about 10 years after Martínez.

Yañez promised to be a good listener and a “champion of the people, especially those who have been hurt, who are suffering. I want to be that advocate for the community.”

Goals and Plans

The president declared that CPS must take over the payment of the municipality’s $175 million pension. He also said the mayor has gone “above and beyond” to provide more city tax increment financing (TIF) dollars to CPS and will continue to do so. Martinez recently asked the mayor to double last year’s record TIF surplus to cover the CPS budget shortfall.

Martínez maintained a smile and applauded as other board members introduced themselves, but his apparent enthusiasm faded during Johnson’s remarks. Martínez lowered his head at times.

The board members did not address Martinez’s future in their comments, but did address the financial controversy.

Council Members Weigh In

Council members, including some who have raised concerns about the board’s turmoil, called into the meeting to congratulate the new members and offer help.

“The City Council is willing to be a partner in everything we are doing on behalf of our parents and students and the staff and educators there,” said Council Member Bennett Lawson (44th). “I think there are a lot of concerns right now about stability. Making sound financial decisions, that’s obviously the most important thing for all of us in these next few months as we build the system that can be sustainable for the future.”

Councilwoman Nicole Lee (11th) said she wanted to learn more about the new board members’ ideas for the school system.

“I’m here to offer a partnership in terms of our desire to work with you, to make sure that we are supporting the district in everything we need to do to make the vision for the schools work as best as possible,” Lee said.

“Understanding the great financial burdens and challenges that both CPS and the City face, I hope that we can work together to ensure that everything we do is done… in a financially and fiscally responsible manner, so that we are not mortgaging the future of our children. to make short-term financial promises,” she said.

Conclusion

The new board president’s comments and the board members’ questions and concerns demonstrate their commitment to improving the education system in Chicago. The mayor’s plan to provide financial support to the district is a step in the right direction, and the council members’ willingness to partner with the board to ensure the success of the school system is a positive sign for the future.

FAQs

* What is the mayor’s vision for public education in Chicago?
The mayor has a clear vision for public education in Chicago, which involves providing every Chicagoan with a world-class public school in their neighborhood.
* What is the mayor’s plan to address the financial issues in the school district?
The mayor has proposed providing more city tax increment financing (TIF) dollars to the school district to help address the financial issues.
* What are the goals of the new board members?
The new board members are committed to improving the education system in Chicago and are working to implement the mayor’s vision for the district.