Enough of the self-inflicted Chicago schools turmoil, Mayor Johnson

On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson named six of seven new School Board members following last week’s unprecedented mass resignation of the entire existing board.

But his swift action didn’t change our minds on this point: We can’t imagine how Johnson and his allies could have been more irresponsible in recent weeks regarding Chicago Public Schools, creating a terrible look for City Hall and destabilizing the district when it sorely needs managerial competence, not chaos.

Acting quickly to name new board members may have been intended as a show of stability after last Friday’s resignations. It didn’t work. Monday’s events didn’t create even a glimmer of the kind of smooth, orderly transition that CPS needs in the last few months before a third board — a 21-member, partially elected board — is seated in January.

#### Chaotic Transition

It’s put Chicago in the national spotlight, and not in a good way. And it’s surely not the way to persuade a popular governor, as well as state lawmakers with their own constituent needs, to approve the level of financial bailout Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union want for CPS.

“Turmoil” Across Towns

“Turmoil” also seems an apt description for Monday’s press conference, held at a church in South Chicago, to announce the six new board appointees. The event was interrupted by protesters, some carrying “Fire Brandon” signs, who shouted, “This board is not legit.” When reporters tried to question the appointees about supporting a loan to help pay district expenses, the mayor quickly interrupted and called the question “disrespectful.”

#### Overseeing the District’s Chaos