City Council Members Concerned about CPS Board Resignations
Deep Concern Expressed by Majority of City Council
A majority of City Council members voiced “deep concern” with the resignation of the entire Chicago Board of Education on Friday. In a statement released Saturday, 36 of the 50 City Council members said the expected resignations of all seven board members is “unprecedented and brings further instability to our school district.”
Unsettling for Taxpayers and Children
The resignations come after months of acrimony, and it clears the way for Mayor Brandon Johnson to appoint a new board that will likely follow his orders to fire schools CEO Pedro Martinez, make a contract deal with the Chicago Teachers Union, and take a loan to cover a city pension payment and the teachers’ contract this year. The City Council members are largely worried about a renewed push by the mayor to use the loan under the new school board.
Budget Concerns and Uncertainty
The City Council members are critical of the loan, citing the potential impact on taxpayers and the school district’s future. “It is critical that CPS leaders keep the interests of taxpayers and our children top of mind as they make budget decisions that will impact the District for years to come,” the City Council members’ statement said.
Call for City Council Meeting
The alderpersons in their statement also called for a City Council meeting before the end of October and before any new appointments to the school board are made to discuss the issue. “Chicagoans deserve a voice when it comes to decisions that will affect our school system and city as a whole,” the statement said.
Background and Context
The outgoing school board of mostly activists and advocates was appointed to serve a year and a half before being replaced in January by the new board. Johnson will appoint 11 of the 21-member board and therefore maintain control for two more years. The other 10 will be elected this fall.
Reaction and Response
In a joint statement issued Friday from the mayor and school board, they painted the departures as an agreed-upon “transition plan” ahead of that new structure. However, the City Council members remain concerned about the lack of transparency and input from the community.
Conclusion
The resignations of the entire Chicago Board of Education have raised concerns among City Council members, who are worried about the impact on the school district and the community. With a renewed push for the loan and the potential for a new board to follow the mayor’s orders, the future of the district remains uncertain.
FAQs
Q: What are the concerns of City Council members regarding the resignation of the CPS Board?
A: City Council members are concerned about the impact of the resignations on the school district and the community, particularly with regard to the potential use of a loan to cover city pension payments and teachers’ contracts.
Q: What is the background of the resignations?
A: The outgoing school board of mostly activists and advocates was appointed to serve a year and a half before being replaced in January by the new board. Johnson will appoint 11 of the 21-member board and therefore maintain control for two more years.
Q: What is the reaction from the mayor and school board?
A: In a joint statement, the mayor and school board painted the departures as an agreed-upon “transition plan” ahead of that new structure.
